Saniya Craven has a number of goals she’s looking to accomplish this track and field season for Glenpool.
“I want to improve in all my events, strive for greater speed, and achieve longer jumps,” Craven said. “As a team, our goal for the season is to secure a conference victory for our girls’ team and ensure more of our teammates qualify for state competition. We also aim to positively support and motivate each other.”
The sophomore, who competes in the 100 meter, 200 meter, long jump and with the relay teams, says her biggest change this year is listening to advice from her coaches.
“I think my biggest improvement heading into this year has been my ability to take whatever my coach tells me and apply it to my performance,” she said. “It’s like I’ve become really good at taking their advice and making it work for me.
“I’d say my strengths are in the long jump and relays. This past year, I had to switch from being the anchor leg to the 2nd leg in the relay, and I feel like my ability to adapt and contribute no matter where I’m placed on the team has really improved.”
Craven’s personal best time in the 100 meter is a 12.1. Her top time in the 200 is a 26.1. Her personal record in the long jump is a distance of 18-3.5. As a freshman, she helped the Warriors break a school mark in the 4×100 relay and a state championship last year, and individually was the state runner-up in the long jump.
“It was such an epic moment,” Craven said of her state championship experience last year. Craven says her mom has been her biggest influence. She has also been inspired by track athletes Masai Russell and Sha’Carri Richardson.
“My mom is a very hard worker so that set the foundation for my mindset,” she said. “[Masai] has always been one of my favorite track athletes. Even though you will never catch me doing hurdles, she is fun to keep up with. Also, Sha’Carri Richardson is one of my favorite track athletes. I was so proud when she won the U.S. title in the 100-meter dash after not being able to compete the year before.”
Craven, who has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, is interested in the University of Oregon’s track and field program. She’s an active member of FCLA and National Honor Society, and her 14-club volleyball team competed at US Nationals. She enjoys fashion and interior design and someday would like to have her own business.
