BIRMINGHAM —

by Herb Jones

Ms. Candace Hill, the 16-year old high school junior who has become a world-wide international phenom in the sport of track and field, made her professional debut in the 400-meter dash indoors at the Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama.  She competed in the open division at the SECOND ANNUAL ALABAMA STRIDERS INDOOR CLASSIC YOUTH GRAND PRIX SERIES — THE SHOWDOWN AT THE CROSSPLEX PART II.

“Running the 400-meter dash is something that my coach (Tony Carpenter) wants me do because he said that it will get me stronger for the 200 and that if I run hard in this meet it is going to prepare me for the 200 meters later on”, she said.

Hill did run hard and she clocked an amazing time of 54.38 seconds and earned a first place victory.

Hill is best known as the fastest teenage girl in the world, having sprinted the 100-meter dash race in 10.98 seconds last June 2015.  Also, having the distinction of running less than 11 seconds in any 100-meter dash outdoor race was something that no other high school female athlete had ever done prior to Hill accomplishing this feat.

HJ: And on joining the professional ranks?

CH: “Joining the professional ranks was a long and hard decision and at first I didn’t want to leave my high school friends and I wanted to run collegiately.  However, my coaches told me that I had already reached and excelled at my level and that I just needed to go for it.  That every opportunity I get I just needed to take it.”

HJ: And on how has it been being a professional athlete thus far?

CH: “It’s been a great experience.  I’m so blessed to be able to sign with Asics and to be able to work professionally.  I look forward to this long continuous journey and I hope it will be fun.”