VYPE: What has track meant to you?
Jaiden Dublin: I first started running track at the age of 8 years old. I’d just moved to a new neighborhood and my new neighbors happened to be an amazing family that coached a well-known club track team in the area. I remember begging my mom to register me! I fell in love with the diversity and heart that the sport holds. Track athletes carry so much control and discipline, in a way that I feel no other type of athlete does.
VYPE: What role for the track and field team did you play?
JD: I’m a graduating senior this year and was asked to serve as a team captain.
VYPE: What have sports taught you throughout your career?
JD: I think that the biggest lesson that sports in general has taught me is to make sure that I remember who I am and what sets me apart. In every space, there are going to be others that are working towards the same goal as me, so I make it my mission to work as hard as possible and then trust my hard work in the end.
VYPE: What values have you gained from sports?
JD: Athletics has definitely shaped me into the young woman I am today. Athletes across the board have to be mentally tough. From a very young age I understood that when you want something you have to work for it. This mental toughness and drive translate to every aspect of life, especially scholastically. It’s extremely important to me that no matter what space I’m in, that I’m not outworked.
VYPE: What leadership skills have you developed?
JD: I’ve always been pretty confident and outspoken but serving as a leader on this team has definitely allowed me to exercise empathy and communication. Dealing with teenage athletes, and female athletes at that, has to be approached uniquely. I wholeheartedly embraced the role I was placed in, and I’m grateful that I was able to practice those life-long skills.
VYPE: What are three words that describe you and why did you choose them?
JD: First, I’d say hardworking. I’m simply not satisfied if I haven’t put my best foot forward. Next, I’d say charismatic. I’m witty and have a pretty good sense of humor. I try to make whoever is around me as comfortable as possible. Finally, I’m going to go with empathetic, because my friends often brand me as the mom or therapist of the group.
VYPE: What is the most important advice you have received?
JD: The most important advice I received would probably be from Coach Tim Grantham. Going into regionals and state we generally have less intense workouts and are more focused on maintenance and polishing. While us athletes began to get anxious thinking we weren’t being productive, he reassured us that we’d already put the hard work in. We trained hard for months, and it was then time to trust the process and our training. I recall Coach G’s words often. When I get anxious, I remind myself that I have put the work in, and that it’s now in God’s mighty hands.
VYPE: What do you like to do in your free time?
JD: I’m actually just now getting free time again with my graduation approaching. It’s been school, track, work, repeat since August. I’ve always liked to draw, sing, and read a lot though, so I’m excited to get back to doing those things.
VYPE: What are your plans after high school?
JD: I’ll be attending the illustrious Spelman College located in Atlanta, Georgia, also known as the number one HBCU in the nation! There, I’ll be studying political science, and attending law school post-graduation.
