Sports
Gimme 5: H-F Track Standout 'Funny, Blunt and Focused'
Vikings' Abieya Ehimwenman runs down her own dreams, carries on a successful family tradition.
Homewood-Flossmoor senior Abieya Ehimwenman was destined to be a track standout.
“My dad ran track," Ehimwenman said. " It’s hereditary. He was a good athlete in Nigeria. Plus, my sister and brother ran track.”
Ehimwenman excels in the long jump, triple jump, 400-meter dash and is a member of the Vikings' 4x100 relay team. Last season, she finished second in the IHSA state meet in the triple jump to Downers Grove South’s Tori Franklin.
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Franklin is a senior and the two figure to collide again at state this year.
So far, Ehimwenman has been breaking meet records and easily outdistancing her opponents all across the Southland. Though the captain has been impressive, she is far from satisfied.
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“I know I can always get better,” she said.
After getting many offers to participate in track in college, Ehimwenman settled on Ohio State University.
“I had a lot of options, but I felt Ohio State was my best fit,” she said.
Ehimwenman lists Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix as her favorite athlete.
“She is a great all-around athlete that is very humble and motivated," Ehimwenman said. "She is just great.”
Ehimwenman’s favorite subject is English. She hopes one day to become a physical therapist. For now, she is a lover of hip hop, R&B and rap says her teammates would describe her as funny, blunt and focused.
How focused? Ehimwenman's goal is to finish her high school track career on top of the IHSA heap.
