12 Blueprint
SPORTS
April 29, 2016
Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker looks to get back on track for state By Joe Stellato, Editor-in-Chief Print One of Illinois’ top sprinters has experienced a setback after pulling her quadricep in the 200m dash quad meet at DGN on April 13. Just in the prior week, the twotime state champion senior Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker was crossing the finish line of the 100m with a time of 12.12 seconds, breaking yet another school record at the DGS invitational on April 9. Dixon-Tucker is currently ranked third in the state for outdoor competition; however, she looks to overcome her injury to be back on top sooner than later. “Slowly but surely, with my hard work and effort, I hope to moving up to the first place rank again and become Illinois’ top runner. But, I’ve been taking a little bit of rest because I hurt my quad[ricep]. Now it’s all about recovery and making sure I take good care of myself so I can come back better,” DixonTucker said. On March 26, Dixon-Tucker Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker practicing hurdles on the track to prepare herself for state. Dixon-Tucker broke a DGS record in the 60m hurdles. became a two-time state champion at the indoor track and field Photos by Joe Stellato championship, Illinois Top Times. “This experience has been amazmentum].” The times she ran also earned her ing. I’ve gotten much exposure in The Illinois Top Times meet is looks to improve even beyond othranking amongst the top 20 girls in the track field world now. I feel where all of the state’s top athlete ers’ expectations yet again. the U.S. extremely blessed, and I couldn’t be all come together for an indoor “I would like to say [the transiThe four-year athlete ran the happier,” Dixon-Tucker said. track and field championship. This tion to outdoor season] would make fastest time in Illinois for this Seeing her progress as a student level of competition and tension me better because I ran way faster season and broke a DGS record and athlete firsthand “means the is higher in comparison to other than what my seeds time were at in the 60m hurdles with a time world” to first year head coach Niinvites. the big meet… I’m expecting to run of 8.65 seconds. Just 15 minutes cole Sanders. “Everybody is gunning for each way better for the 100m, 100m hurafter that, Dixon-Tucker once again “She’s really stepped up and other honestly. The meets I usudles or whatever sprinting event broke a school record and set a definitely been a leader by example ally compete at, everybody is great they put me in,” Dixon-Tucker said. state best time for finishing the just by how good she’s doing. In competition. But it’s always nice Aside from her individual per60m dash in 7.50 seconds -- a new all the aspects of being an athlete, to have some people test your skill formance, 15 other members of the indoor championship meet record. it’s really rewarding to see her and challenge you and Illinois Top girls track team represented the In her third consecutive trip to being recognized,” Sanders said. Times was one of those meets,” DGS girls track program in Bloomthe big meet, Dixon-Tucker de“It’s a testament to how hard she’s Dixon-Tucker said. ington. Dixon-Tucker appreciates scribes what this last time down worked. I’m happy she can go into With her high school track career being a part of the team. state means to her. this outdoor season with this [mocoming to an end, Dixon-Tucker “I’m nothing without my team of course. Everybody else did so well and being successful as a team means a lot because it shows people what we do all together,” Dixon-Tucker said. Coach Sanders “loves” to be a part of the girls track and field program. She also sees how Dixon-Tucker’s recent success benefits the rest of the team. “They really work together. They encourage each other. They have a lot of traditions that they uphold, and I think that’s very important for the girls. Everybody works together to try to push each other,” Sanders said. Dixon-Tucker has been running track since the days she attended Lakeview Jr. High School. She explains what drives her to keep running and improving. “My motivation is to make the people around me proud of me and have them see how much I push myself… Running is a part of me, and I just want them to see that,” Dixon-Tucker said.
Shaliyah Dixon-Tucker running on the track to begin her journey back to competition. Dixon-Tucker is currently ranked third in the state for outdoor competition.
Contact Joe at jste1881@csd99.org