Hazelwood East senior Tianna Valentine took another important step in her track career Sunday.
The Class 4 defending champion in the 100-meter dash made her decision to run at the University of Kansas next year.
“I decided on KU because I felt comfortable there,” said Valentine, who made her official visit about a month ago. “The team and people made me feel like I belonged there. I like the campus, and everything won me over, too.”
Valentine joins a growing list of St. Louis Blues club runners to join the Jayhawks ranks, including 2011 Hazelwood Central graduate Michael Hester. She chose KU over Missouri and Illinois.
“For us to get kids signed and continuing their education is the biggest purpose for us with the Blues,” St. Louis Blues coach Martise Scott said.
Scott credited all of Valentine’s coaches, including fellow Blues coach Rodney Dotson and Hazlewood East coach Linwood Barnes. Scott said Vince Bingham also played a big role in Kansas landing Valentine. Bingham has a long track history in the St. Louis area, and he currently serves as the Director of Track Operations at the University of Kansas.
Valentine won the Class 4 state 100 in 11.72, the fourth-fastest time in the state history and just a blink behind Muna Lee’s 1999 record of 11.66. Valentine said that record is her biggest remaining goal before she moves on to college next year.
“It’s my main focus right now,” Valentine said. “It’s been out there too long. It’s exciting to know I came close to it and that an Olympian set it. Hopefully it’ll be me that gets it.”
Following her junior season, Valentine ran a PR of 11.48 at the Great Southwest Classic for first place, which earned her an invite to the adidas Grand Prix where she was fourth in 11.96. She also was on the record setting 800-meter relay team at the Great Southwest for Team Missouri that ran 1:35.39. She boasts a PR of 24.31 in the 200-meter dash from this summer’s AAU Junior Olympic Games.
Tianna far right at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York - photo credit Don Rich
Ben Rosario interviews Tianna after winning the 100m championship at the state meet.
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