ROCKINGHAM — Senior indoor track and field athlete Ja’Niya Blue has been named the Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week presented by HWY 55.
The Lady Raiders competed in one final regular-season meet last week at Union Pines High School, hosted by Pinecrest.
Placing in both of her events at the Last Chance Meet, including a new personal record, Blue earned her first career recognition.
Athletic Profile
Age: 17
Birthday: June 17, 2004
Year: Senior
Winter Sport: Indoor Track and Field
Events: Triple jump, Long jump
Years on Varsity: 4 years
TAKING FIRST WITH JA’NIYA BLUE
Richmond competed against seven other teams from around the region in last week’s meet. Blue, who competes in jumping events, earned one of the Lady Raiders’ two first-place finishes.
She also placed second in one event, one of four Richmond runner-up spots.
In the triple jump, Blue took first overall while also setting a new PR in the event. The other first-place mark for the Lady Raiders was the 4x200-meter relay team. Blue finished the triple jump with a distance of 31 feet, 0 inches.
Going up against Jack Britt High School’s Savanna Nelson and Shayiliyah Ellis, Blue’s mark was eight inches better than Nelson’s for first place (30 feet, 4 inches). Ellis’ distance was 25 feet, 8 inches).
The long jump event was a little more competitive, which saw Blue take second overall with a mark of 14 feet, 7 inches. She was just over two feet short of Union Pines’ Annika Stark (16 feet, 9.5 inches) for first place.
Fellow Lady Raider teammates Jay’da Williams (14 feet, 6 inches) and Aniyah Tanksley (12 feet, 5 inches) took third and seventh place respectively.
RAPID RESPONSES WITH JA’NIYA BLUE
ROSports: You had a successful meet last week with a first and second place finish in both of your events. How were you able to be successful and what do you focus on when you jump?
Blue: “Practice really helps me. When I’m out there, I think about how I need to do my steps and stretch my legs out. The jump that really matters is the second step because it really determines how much length I get.
“I also really think about having a good first step because I have to hit the board for it to count and not scratch.”
ROSports: What is the most challenging part of being a long and triple jumper? And what has been the best part of your season so far?
Blue: “It can be challenging just trying to make sure you jump far. It’s also definitely a lot more difficult to jump when it’s colder outside. My body is more tense and I have to worry about trying not to get injured.
“I’ve enjoyed being able to teach others and helping the girls get better with their jumps. Coach Miller has also done a lot to help me and give us tips.”
ROSports: What have been some of your personal goals and the team’s goals this season?
Blue: “I wanted to break my personal record in both events, and I did that with the triple jump. I have really gotten better with my steps and have prepared myself for the outdoor season. That is the team’s goal, too. We want to be ready to compete in the spring.”
The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Athletes of the Week next week.
