Whitney Institute has a long tradition of producing some of Bermuda's greatest athletes. The transformation from high school to middle school has done nothing to diminish the passion with which the Whitney Bulls compete in every arena and sports field they set foot on. In keeping with this tradition of excellence and passionate competition, M2 student Shauntae Hendrickson has emerged as one of Bermuda's best young track athletes, and the pride of Whitney Institute Middle School! She spoke to Chantel Paris, M3 about life in the fast lane.

What is your favourite sport?

My favourite sport is running. I compete in the 800 and 400 meters.

How long have you been running?

I have been running since pre-school, but I started running for a track club last year when I started M1.

Do you compete for any organisations besides Whitney Middle School?

I compete for the Flyers Track Club as well as Whitney Institute.

How much training do you do daily?

I train on Mondays and Wednesdays, not every day. Sometimes I might go for a run just to cover my mileage.

How do you train (what do you do)?

When I go training I have to run two laps for warm-up, then stretch. Then I do the running assignments my coach gives me.

What inspires you while you are preparing for a track meet?

Some of the things that inspire me are my parents, my coach and the athletes that are older than me.

What inspires you while you are competing?

When I am competing, the thing that inspires me is when my coaches push me to run faster, and when people cheer. It also inspires me when an athlete is in front of me, and it pushes me to do better.

What is your proudest moment from competing over the years?

My proudest moment from competing over the years is when I travelled to the Carifta Games in St. Kitts with the Bermuda National Squad in March of this year.

What is your proudest moment competing for Whitney?

My proudest moment competing for Whitney is when I won Champion Girl at Interschool Sports.

What is your proudest moment competing for Bermuda?

My proudest moment competing for Bermuda was the Carifta Games. My relay team and I placed fourth and I was proud of them and myself. I also placed seventh in the 400m, but didn't make the finals.

Who are your role models?

My role models are all of the coaches who have taught me what I know: my coaches Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike, and the runners of the Flyers Track Club.

What are your goals for the future?

My goal for the future is to get a scholarship for running and go away to a university, and to make it to the Olympics one day.

Shauntae's Favourites:

Food -Tacos

Music - R&B

Sport - Running

Sports team - The Flyers Track Club

School subject - Physical Education