As we reported earlier this week, Belizean track phenom Emma Wade is on her to becoming one of the fastest women in the world. The 22 year old who is in her senior year at South Carolina State University cemented a position in the elite ranking last weekend when she placed sixth in the 200 meter NCAA track and field championships in Texas.
Wade who grew up in Double Head Cabbage Village and left Belize three years ago is home on a short visit before heading to Canada for Olympic training to represent Belize at the games in Athens. She stopped by our studios today and talked about her plans for the Olympics, her performance in the track and field championships, and her mentor Marion Jones.
Emma Wade, Athlete
"The meet is where the top ranking Olympic caliber, at the least, athletes compete. The race was good, I ran the 200 meters and I placed 6th. It was a good experience and I am very happy with the results."
Keith Swift,
You are now one of the elite and you are in the history books, how does that feel?
Emma Wade,
"That feels very great. When we came back that Sunday the school had a little pep rally for us. It's great. It's wonderful."
Keith Swift,
Now we understand you are preparing to represent Belize in the summer Olympics?
Emma Wade,
"That's my plans; to represent Belize in the summer Olympics. I am not only going just to be there, I am going to actually compete for Belize. Right now I feel very confident. My coach he is very satisfied with the performance. We are working on little things rights now and getting ready for the Olympics. So we are confident and being a part of the team like I said it is just a dream I've always dreamed. To get closer to actually live it is just fantastic."
Keith Swift,
What do you make of the comparisons people always make between you and Marion Jones?
Emma Wade,
"What I think about it? I think it is great. Marion Jones is my mentor. I look up to her like my big sister. I would want to accomplish what she accomplished and even more. A few years ago I said sometime soon I will run faster than Marion will, I will beat her at her own game and her own race. I am working on it right now. I am real close so look out Marion I am coming."
If you want to see Emma's performance in the 200 meters, it will air tomorrow afternoon at 2 on Channel 7.
Wade hopes to head to Canada sometime next week. She is set to graduate from SCSU in December and will leave with a personal best of 22.98 in the 200 meters and 53.62 in the 400 meters. After she graduates, Wade will be able to run professionally and is already fielding offers through her coach. Part of the reason for her trip to Belize is to get local assistance to facilitate her participation in the Olympics. And aside from all that running, wade has a double major at South Carolina State university in business education and management.