- November 25, 2024
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Mainland sprinter Cydney Wright. Photo by Ray Boone
Mainland sprinter Cydney Wright. Photo by Ray Boone
Cydney Wright steadies her heartbeat as she crouches down into her stance.
She clears her mind, seeing nothing but the sliver of track ahead of her, waiting on the sharp pop of the starter’s gun.
She explodes out of the block and sprints 200 meters down the track at Flagler Palm Coast High School. She crossed the finish line in 24.25 seconds, taking first place at the 15th-annual East Coast Classic on Feb. 22.
“I wouldn’t ever stop working. I wouldn’t ever be content. There’s always someone out there who’s faster.”
Cydney Wright, Mainland track
Wright was on the podium with a gold medal around her neck when she received the news. Mainland track and field coach Terry Anthony could hardly contain his excitement as he shouted it out: Wright broke the school record for the 200-meter dash, which was previously held by Buccaneers sprinter Breanna Butts, Wright’s cousin.
“I actually thought it was a slow time,” said Wright, all smiles. “It’s been my goal since I found out my cousin had the record. I look up to my cousins a lot because there’s a lot of talent and dedication. I put in a lot of work in the offseason, so it was good to see the hard work pay off.”
Despite being a 15-year-old sophomore, Wright is a mainstay for the Buccaneers’ girls track team in the sprinting events. In addition to the 200-meter dash, she also typically competes in the 100-meter dash and is a member of the 4x400-meter relay team. She most recently finished in first in the 100-meter and 200-meter at the Five Star Conference Championship on Saturday, March 9, at FPC.
“She’s running at an all-time best right now,” Anthony said. “No matter how many races she wins, she wants to get better. She’s never satisfied.”
The state of Florida is known for its speed.
Briana Williams and Tamari Davis are just some of the names of the country’s elite high school sprinters who hale from the Sunshine State.
“She wants to be at that caliber,” Anthony said. “She has the work ethic, and she definitely has the talent to do so. As long as she keeps working and stays healthy, she’ll be fine.”
Wright has been participating in track since she was 11 years old. For her, there is no offseason. She runs during the high school season, and after that, she trains with her AAU team, the Daytona Express. When she's not racing, she's either lifting in the gym or sprinting up and down hills.
She competed at the FHSAA girls track and field state championship in the 200-meter and 4x400-meter relay last season. By the time she graduates high school, she hopes to join Mainland history by one day donning a state championship gold medal.
But she still won't be satisfied.
“I wouldn’t ever stop working. I wouldn’t ever be content,” Wright said. “There’s always someone out there who’s faster.”
