East County Athlete of the Week: 03.29.17

Saraiah Walkes is an eighth-grader at The Out-of-Door Academy. She runs track and holds school records in the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes. She set the 400 meter record on March 24 at the ODA Thunder Invitational, running a time of 58.00. 

When did you start running?

I've been running track since I was 7. I began running when I was little, when I lived in Georgia. I would run around our farm, just racing my brothers. Then, when we came to Florida when I turned 7, my dad tried me in track to see how I would do. Ever since then, I have been running. The first year I was not so good. The Junior Olympics were in Louisiana, I think I came in 13th place. I told my dad (Alfred Walkes) the next year I wanted to get top-three, because that's who got medals. The next year it was in Houston, Texas, and that year I got second place in the 400 and 200 meters and got third in the 100 meters. 

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I still play basketball. I did basketball and I did cheer, and this year at ODA I did volleyball. Mainly just track and basketball, though. 

What is the appeal of running to you?

Growing up, it was the only way I could win at something. I came from a family of eight, including me. The only way I could win or get attention was by running. I used to beat my 10- and 9-year-old brothers when I was like, 7 years old. I would race them to the post office, and my mom would tell me, "Oh my God, honey, you are so fast! You beat your brothers!" After that I started liking it, because I actually was looking up people like Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards-Ross and seeing that I could do it. 

Do you have any personal goals for yourself?

I want to inspire kids my age who want to do a sport and succeed and do great things. Back when I was in public school, there were kids who just wanted to smoke and have boyfriends and stuff. I want to inspire kids to believe that they can do better, even though they might not be wealthy or whatever, maybe in the long run they can get better at playing football or basketball or another sport. 

Do you have a dream vacation spot?

I've never been to Disney World, so I want to go to Disney World one day. I want to go and do things I have never done before, like go to Arizona or California, because I want to see if I can meet someone famous there. I want to travel and go to amusement parks and have fun. 

Do you have a favorite food?

Oh, I love food. Not to sound greedy, but I love food. I'll cut lines just to get food. I love mangoes and different fruits. I love spaghetti, pizza, subs, pasta. Anything that is good and has flavor to it. Oh, not to mention chocolate and ice cream. Strawberry ice cream is my favorite. 

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

I like P.E. and also American history. 

What hobbies do you have?

I like singing. I love music. Some people (her age) do not know about '80s music, but that is the best music I have ever heard. You have TLC, Xscape, Tupac, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, just the best. 

What is your favorite movie?

I love "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast."

Finish this sentence: "Saraiah Walkes is ... "

... Funny. Goofy. Smart. No filter. Fast. Oh, and talented, I guess, and compassionate. I believe in dedication. I believe in myself. I believe I can go to the Olympics.