Coach with Jamaican roots shapes the career of 14-year-old Miramar athlete with the fastest 200-meter time in the US

ByJoanneClark

At the young age of 14, Arianna Woolcock secured the top spot in the 200-meter race for her age division, marking her impressive feat in just her second year of track participation

Woolcock harbors aspirations of turning professional by 16 and competing in the Olympics

Her trajectory to success has not been a solitary journey Woolcock’s coach, Haile Hoo, of Jamaican descent and the founder of Five Star General Athletics, has been an integral part of her journey

Hoo describes Woolcock as a diligent and attentive athlete, always eager to learn and improve In her early days, she faced her fair share of challenges place in the community, given the city’s Jamaican population and the sport’s prominence in Jamaican culture

Hoo, echoing this sentiment, emphasized the importance of track in binding the community of Miramar

Felicia Woolcock, Arianna Woolcock’s mother, beams with pride for her daughter’s achievements, attributing her success to hard work and faith

Woolcock herself believes in the boundless possibilities when one is dedicated, sacrifices, and keeps faith

In addition to her victory in the 200-meter race, Woolcock has also made her mark nationally in the 100-meter dash Among the numerous participants in the junior Olympics, she ranks 8th, solidifying her position as a rising star in the sport

Messi

She had a distinct running style, earning her the moniker “robot girl” from her teammates Despite not being the fastest initially, and even considering leaving the sport, Woolcock’s resilience and the encouragement from her coach transformed her into a national champion in just a year

The synergy between Woolcock and Coach

Hoo is evident beyond the track

Facing numerous challenges in the realm of track and field sports, Hoo had contemplated retiring this year However, Woolcock’s national championship win rekindled the passion for coaching

Miramar’s connection to track: A community bond

Hailing from Miramar, Woolcock has become a beacon for the South Florida city on the national scene Track holds a significant

Usain Bolt lauds Reggae Girlz’s stellar World Cup performance

Jamaican retired sprinter Usain Bolt extends his support to the Reggae Girlz following their exit from the World Cup

After their Round of 16 defeat, the sprint legend expressed his pride for the Jamaican women ’ s soccer team through a post on X, the platform previously known as Twitter

The team’s journey in the 2023 Women’s World Cup was nothing short of remarkable

Bolt

Against the odds, they secured a surprising 0-0 draw against Brazil This extraordinary result propelled the 43rd-ranked Jamaican team into the knockout stage, leaving the formidable Brazilian squad to bow out of the tournament Emotions ran high after the game, with many players from the Jamaican side seen in tears and embracing each other

The Reggae Girlz’s path to the World Cup was not without challenges as they have faced financial constraints

Timely interventions, including a GoFundMe campaign initiated by midfielder Havana Solaun’s mother and another effort by the Reggae Girlz Foundation, ensured the team’s participation in Australia and New Zealand