Sarasota Athlete of the Week: 03.30.17

Aliyah Cunningham is a junior at Riverview. She runs track and won the girls 100-meter race at the ODA Thunder Invitational, finishing in 12.14 seconds. 

When did you start running?

I started in fourth grade, but I took a lot of time off and started again in seventh grade. Something happened to the structure of the club I was in (after fourth grade), and they didn't have it anymore. Then, there was nowhere really for me to run in fifth grade, and when I was in middle school, sixth graders could not play any sports other than intramural ones. They changed that rule now, though. 

Did you play any other sports growing up?

I played badminton, but that was only for a short time. I played a little bit of soccer when I was really young. I did basketball. 

What is the appeal of running to you?

It's that adrenaline you do not really get anywhere else, other than like, taking a chemistry test (laughs). It releases a lot of pent-up emotion I have in the classroom.

Do you have any personal goals for yourself?

Yeah, I want to hit an 11 (seconds) in the 100 (meter race), which I have not been able to do yet, but I have been really close. I'm excited, hopefully next meet I will hit it. If I can get 11.99, I'd be happy, but I really want 11 seconds in the 100. It's a mile-marker for female athletes.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

One time we were practicing starts, and the coaches said, "Run like you have low self-esteem." It actually helped!  If you run like you have"low self-esteem," you will get where you need to be faster. 

What hobbies do you have?

I sing a lot. Not great, but I do. I'm in a youth choir. I like to write, too. Writing is fun for me. I like to do math.

Do you have a dream vacation spot?

I'm super homey. I do not like going places. It's not my thing. If I had to pick one place, I would probably go in a cabin somewhere.

Do you have a favorite food?

I will eat anything. I'd be better off naming you things I will not eat than the things I will. I will not eat lima beans. I do not eat liver. If I do not eat it, I probably have not tried it yet. 

What is your favorite TV show?

I have to give it to "SpongeBob SquarePants." Can I say two TV shows? "Martin" is also my favorite. 

Finish this sentence: "Aliyah Cunningham is ... "

... Awesome! I feel like I am a well-rounded person. Not to be conceded, I like to stay humble. God has blessed me with a lot of awesome traits that I can show the world, and I am really appreciative and grateful for being able to show my talents to everyone.