Makenzee Powell Aims To Continue Setting Records In Track
Makenzee Powell is a junior at Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills High School who has a promising career in track and field. In this interview with the GR Times, she discusses the school records that she has broken, what she would like to major in and what college she may attend after graduating from high school.
GRT: When did you become interested in track and field?
Powell: I got interested in trying out for the track team last year.
GRT: What records have you broken at Ottawa Hills?
Powell: I broke the school record for the 300 meter hurdles, the time to be was a 49.5 and I ran it in 47.8. I first broke the record during my ninth grade year and then I broke the record again during my tenth grade year and now I am going to the eleventh grade.
GRT: What are you currently participating in?
Powell: As a team, we already ran at the state finals, but I am practicing for the AAU season and I am running in the district qualifier this weekend in Detroit.
GRT: How much of a difference has your coach Tony made?
Powell: At first, I always gave up on workouts and I never wanted to finish or stay after practice but once Coach Tony explained to me what was what, my future became more clearer. He started showing me people who were actually making it, it became a lot of motivation for me.
GRT: Is there a particular college that you may be interested in attending when you graduate?
Powell: I would like to attend a Historically Black University, but I have not been seeing a lot of them with big track teams. I kind of would like to possibly go to Tennessee State University, but if I do go to school closer to home, I probably am going to go to somewhere like Aquinas or Davenport University.
GRT: As far as track and field, what is your goal for next year's season?
Powell: Next year, I would like to be running a 42 in the 300 meter hurdles.
GRT: What do you think that you may major in when you go to college?
Powell: I would like to study ophthalmology, optometry or prepare for doing something in the eye doctor field.
GRT: Whom would you like to thank for inspiring you and keeping on the right path to success?
Powell: I have to thank Coach Toney and one of the administrators, Nehemiah Dicks and my mother Katharina Powell and my aunt Cynthia Powell.
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