After finishing runner-up in both the 100-and 200-meter dashes at the state championships as a sophomore, Palm Harbor University High FL sprinter Rachael Uvieghara prepared for the 2023 with high hopes.

"My plan for both districts and regionals wasn’t to win but to run clean races," she said. "At first, it was hard listening to my coaches who had told me to be patient, but as the season progressed I knew my main job was to get to states and execute the work I’ve put in all season and lay it on the track."

That hunger was evident. Uvieghara set a new personal best and top 10 national time of 11.38 in the 100 meter dash. She followed it up with another PR and top 10 time of 23.22 in the 200, capping an undefeated season in that event. Two races, two PRs, and her first two Class 4A state championships.

"When I won the 100 meters, I was very emotional because all the things my coaches were instilling in me to be patient, wait for the big stage to come out and run the race I’ve been patiently waiting to run, finally played out," she explained. "When I won the 200, I felt at peace since I finally was able to finish an entire season undefeated in that event, which had been my goal since last year."

Consistency was an attribute Uvieghara is proud of. The junior ran under 12 seconds in the 100 meters seven times, while dipping under 24 seconds six times in the 200. When she added the 400 meter into her meet schedule, she did so with the hopes of helping the shorter sprints come easier.

"Running the 400 gave me a sense of relief on the track that when I would run the 100," she said. "I knew I had the 400 and that would make me strive to work hard in the 200. Running consistently fast was a blessing because it allowed me to work on different aspects of my races so when it came down to the final line (states), I could let loose and run smoothly."

 

Next up for Uvieghara, the prestigious Brooks PR Invitational this week in Renton, Wash. When she received the invitation she was initially in shock that a major meet would want someone from Florida to travel across the country to compete.

"I was elated to accept the invitation," she said. "I’m very excited to be considered that highly in track and to be given an opportunity like that to run with people who all have the common goal to bring more people into the sport to see the greatness of track and field."

Uvieghara will toe the line against greatness. One of the deepest 100-meter fields in history includes the top sprinters in the nation like newly minted high school record holder Shawnti Jackson (10.89) and Oregon's Mia Brahe-Pederson, who is on the verge of breaking that elusive 11 second barrier with her 11.00 personal best. She's not worried about the competition, though, focusing solely on her own race.

"I try not to focus too much on what other sprinters in the country are doing because the sun and the moon both shine in their own time," she said. "I wanted to honestly focus on myself a lot this season since last season I hadn’t. But I love to see other girls shining a bright light on this amazing sport because that’s honestly the end goal I hope to bring to the sport and it’s amazing to see others do the same."

What is she looking forward to the most?

"I’m looking forward to enjoying a new state and meeting new people," she noted. "As for the race, I’m leaving that up to the Lord and hoping I run a clean, safe race and execute the work my coaches have been instilling in me."

 

Get To Know Rachael Uvieghara

What music do you listen to before races?

I have a music routine to start my warm-ups, listening to Pressin Em by Kidd Lee, Dkg Kie because it gets me ready to take on the day. Then, I listen to a playlist which I titled "This PR" because it gets me ready to execute my day. The playlist consists of Metro Boomin, Don Toliver, Post Malone and Carrie Underwood. 

If you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be?

I would bring a mirror, a switchblade and my Bible.

What would you consider as your best or most favorite race of all-time and why?

I would consider my favorite race the 200-meter dash because I think it deserves love and it’s a strategic race that I just find so beautiful. I’ve always found people put 200 runners in a box of being either a 100-200 runner or 200-400 runner, but I just think the 200 should be allowed to be considered its own race. It takes a lot of grit to run a great 200, which just adds to my love for the race. But, the 100 dash that I ran at states definitely rose to be my best race that I ran because it was an execution race and I was able to do so.

What are some things non-running related people might not know about you?

I was a first chair double bass player which grew my love for music in different forms. I had been a tennis/swimming athlete in my childhood years and hadn’t done track until the seventh grade. I want to be an anesthesiologist because I think it would be a fun job. I have read over 500 books since 2020 to prove a point to a person who thought my reading abilities weren’t great, which grew my competitive nature. I won the Pinellas County Battle of the Book’s competition in 2022 as a fun hobby. I really enjoy talking about tennis because it’s such a glorious sport and swimming will always be something I hold close to my heart.