Last weekend, Richmond Hill High School’s Mmekom Inyang competed for her club track team, Coastal Georgia Track Team, and became a New Balance All-American in the process.
The track event, ‘The New Balance Nationals Indoor’, took place in Boston, Massachusetts, at the TRACK at New Balance stadium from March 13th-16th. Inyang participated in the 60 meter hurdles and the shot put events.
“I finished first in my heat in the 60 meter hurdles and 34th overall, missing the cut for semifinals by .07 of a second,” Inyang said. “I finished 5th place overall in the shot put event, increasing my personal record by almost two feet. My new personal best ranks me first in the state of Georgia and 45th overall in the country for indoor shot put.”
With her performance, Inyang became a New Balance All American. A New Balance All American is an athlete that finishes top 6 in any New Balance indoor Track and Field event (top 8 for outdoor events). It’s a status that can only be obtained at national meets.
“Being that I was not allowed to throw in shot put last year at New Balance outdoors because of technicalities out of my control, this podium finish is huge for me,” Inyang said. “ All my hard work is finally starting to pay off and it shows in being recognized on a national field.
“While I do not have any more club track meets scheduled for this year, I would like to go to New Balance National Outdoors to close out my senior year and final season of club track.”
Inyang had an extra boost of confidence prior to the meet in Boston, as she got some much needed advice from one of her instructors.
“I went to a hurdle camp the weekend before nationals and my instructor had a lot of great points but one thing that stuck out to me was when he spoke about mental preparation,” Inyang said. “He emphasized the importance of believing in your ability and telling yourself you can beat the person next to you no matter how fast or highly they are ranked.
“With that being said, I was more focused and mentally prepared for this meet than any other meet I have ever competed in. Despite me falling short in the 60 meter hurdles, I was not shaken like I normally would be. Instead I used that energy to help me out throw my competition in shot put and come home with some hardware.”
Inyang and the rest of the Richmond Hill High School Track and Field team will compete in their final home meet of the year on March 21, which is also Senior Night.