Athletics: McLaughlin named North Houston’s top female sprinter

Cayman’s Mikayla McLaughlin, a recent graduate of Benjamin O. Davis in Houston, Texas finished her High School career as the top female sprinter in the Aldine district.

McLaughlin, 18, was the only senior in the district to competed in May’s Class 6A University Interscholastic League State Championships. McLaughlin set the district record for the Girls 100-metre dash with a time of 11.72 seconds placing fourth overall. She also holds the district record for the 200-metres with a time of 24.15 seconds. It was the third consecutive year competing in the event.

“It was really the best feeling because I know put forth a lot of work to get there. It was really exciting for me, I ran the time I wanted to. I set a goal to make it to the State Championships, and I did it. Of my whole High School career this was the best season for me.”

McLaughlin, a former Mustang Track Club member who has lived in Houston for the past six years says she is now hoping to attend community college for two years while training with the Jacobs Sports Academy.

“Being a student athlete was very tough. In America, it’s no-pass, no-play. So it was hard, you really have to buckle down and be on your books.”

A Houston website that registered 43,364 votes named McLaughlin the top female sprinter of North Houston, receiving 31% of the vote. Mclaughlin She says she

“I plan on coming back and competing in CARIFTA next year representing Cayman if God says so. I plan on staying in Houston to train, working on my starts, staying in shape, dropping times so that I can come back and be at my best.”