Track runner Mecca Muhammad of the Pacific Coast Shockwaves won big at the 2019 Junior Olympics in Sacramento. She earned three championship medals after coming in first place in the 800m, the 4x800m, and the 4x400m in the 11-12 division.
The 800m was the biggest challenge for Muhammad, one of her competitors outran her once before.
“The last 200m, I got in front of her. She was challenging me on the 150 mark, and I had to sprint off because my legs were numb,” she said. “I end up sprinting and she ended up 50 meters behind me, so I got a good time. She helped me reach the time.”
Muhammad finished the 800m with a 2:19.75 time. In the 4x400m relays, the squad finished with a 4:02.51 time. She noted that her relay squad has a great comradery.
“Since we’re all good friends, we work well together, we practice together,” Muhammad said.
For the 4x800m relay, the Shockwaves ran a 9:31.62 time, taking first place an almost breaking the national record for the event. The Los Angeles Jets hold the record after running a 9:30.72 time in 1997.
“Pretty much all of my relay teams are undefeated, especially my 4x800m,” Muhammad said. “We set the meet record.”
At the age of eight, Muhammad started running competitively. She gets inspiration from her father and her older brother who also have experience running track.
“He’s one that pretty much challenges me in a lot of stuff,” Muhammad said about her brother. “I ran against him once, I couldn’t beat him, so I always look up to him. I always tell him I’m gonna beat him one day.”
Muhammad’s favorite subjects are art and science. She also has authored a book called “Family, I Love You” that is sold at her parent’s book store, Malik Books.
“It’s about how much I love my family because when I was younger, I used to always make cards and gifts, sometimes even songs for my parents and my brother,” she said. “Now they’re all in this book.”
She aspires to be a child dermatologist working at Kaiser when she grows up. In her spare time, she creates cards.
“I like drawing, [and] coloring,” Muhammad said. “Sometimes I make half cards, I make a poetry side and just some regular words.”
Muhammad also helps her parents at their bookstore. The patrons at times give her tips to better her customer service skills.
“Sometimes—I don’t know why—but I always eat when I talk to people,” she said. “My mom tells me to put down the food and help the customers, sometimes even the costumers say that.”
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