FEBRUARY 2020
Asya “Toosie”
Reynolds
By Brianna M. Lane
The “Grit” Issue
It was the last portion of the 800-meter race, and Asya “Toosie” Reynolds was up against two other girls and time. It was the final event of the 2019 NCAA Division I outdoor track and field women’s heptathlon. A heptathlete is one who competes in seven events: 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter race, long jump, javelin and 800-meter race.
track and field history to heptathlete is an receive such an honor for a East Cleveland, Ohio heptathlon. native who serves as a neighborhood “I’m going to run my race, inspiration. I’m not going to get out too fast, I’m not going to She fell in love with get out too slow. I’m just track in high school, going to pace myself,” a few years after her Reynolds recalled telling mother introduced herself before the start of it to her in middle the race. school. In high school she began As she looked up at the taking it more screen, she couldn’t seriously, which believe her eyes. She had led her to state become an All-American championships, athlete, an honor she’d where the real work dreamt of for so long. began.
Reynolds started in 23rd “When I started “Going into the last place out of 24 people and going to state minute, I was like finished in 16th. championships 20th, and I knew I and stuff, that’s had to beat two girls Looking back at the when I fell in love by like a second or meet Reynolds stated, with the sport,” said maybe even less “That meet was just a big Reynolds. than that,” said eye opener for me and Reynolds. showed me that I could do Reynolds made Alla lot of things that I didn’t State, All-Conference During the last know I could do.” and All-District all 200-meters, she four years of her kicked into her Asya “Toosie” Reynolds high school track highest gear and is a Michigan State career and was Allpassed the two girls. University fifth year American for three Six weeks before the senior who majors in years. race she hurt her Communications. The foot, and she’d learn it was fractured after the meet. The week of the 2019 NCAA Championship she became a second team All-American athlete and the first woman in Michigan State University’s
In college, she received many accolades in addition to being an All-American athlete which include:
2015 2016 2016 2017 2018 2019
• Broke the previous heptathlon school record she set with 5,211 points • Set a new school heptathlon record with 5,072 points • Placed 3rd at the Big Ten Championship for the heptathlon • Broke school record in pentathlon scoring 3,885 points
• George Alderton Female CoAthlete of the Year • First Time Outdoor All-Big Ten • 2019 Big Ten Heptathlon Champion • Second Team All-American
It’s clear to see that Reynolds has grit which she defines as “working hard everyday and not giving up on yourself.” Working hard everyday is the foundation of her drive, which she hopes will lead her to provide for her family. Failure is not an option. Though it is common to see Reynolds
competing, it’s safe to say she hops on and off the track, literally. Reynolds, or Toosie — her stage name — is also a rapper. Music was always an essential part of her life which dates back to her early teen years. In 8th grade, Disney Channel inspired her to write her own music and sing into her school laptop’s recorder. Starting track in college occupied most of her time, and it caused her
to initially step back from a music pursuit. A little over a year ago, her passion for music was rediscovered. “It brings out a different side of me than track does,” said Reynolds. With a notepad and the help of her boyfriend, she began rapping under the name Toosie, inspired by the candy Tootsie Roll. This creative outlet allowed her to express her feelings, relate to others and rediscover herself. Currently, she has one single out “Wipe Me Down” and another one coming out soon. In addition to track, Toosie loves modeling. She appeared in the student organization Trendustry’s fashion show last year and hopes to do more fashion shows when she can. In the future, Reynolds hopes to run track professionally and continue to inspire other young girls. Advice she’d give to other young female
athletes is to study the sport, grind, connect with people who have been there and find love for the sport. “No matter where you come from, no matter what you have, if you have passion for your sport just like guys, you can make it as far as you want to make it,” she said. As a team, the women’s track and field team is hoping to win the Big Ten Championship this year.
Photo: Nicole Ma & Emma Dowd Style: Molly Harmon & Maria Vitale
THE TEAM Editors-in-Chief Mattie Milne & Wolfgang Ruth
Assistant to Editors-in-Chief Eve Voci
Advertising Emma Rafferty & Bella Jacks Art Kelly Phalen & Lauren Johnson Blog Heather Haely, Evana Caruso & Meg Lloyd Board of Diversity & Inclusion Shaun Hayes & Cat Dang Casting Abigail Rothe, Caroline Semler & Brianna Elizalde Copy Editing Caroline Johnson & Sophie Schmidt Creative Molly Harmon & Maria Vitale Creative Beauty Michaella Andersen & Olivia Simone Digital Creative Madison Stoy Events Katie Telder & Hallie Tsui Fashion Relations Katty Genson & Alaina Agnello Film Sara Seryani, Malia Athanasiou & Moises Garcia
Finance Nina Kirchner & Maisie Kern Graphic Design Mary Beth Flores & Hope Ann Flores Health & Beauty Steffany Kim & Olivia Russell Lifestyle Monique Ross, Abby Jaroszewicz & Karina Lloyd Marketing Alaina Warburton & Courtney Monge Men’s Fashion Dwayne LaGrone & Christian Ostrowski Photography Nicole Ma, Maria Leolani, Lauren Snyder, Emma Dowd & Jillian Felton Public Relations Aubrey Haase & Brianna Olszewski Social Media Mady Emerson & Madeline Strintz Women’s Fashion Mackenzie McDonell & Meghan Provenzano UX Carly Komar & Catherine Davis
I N STAG R A M
@ v i m m s u
FAC E B O O K
@ v i m m s u
YO UTU B E
VI M
M a g a z i n e