Ariana Marsland while only in the 7th grade competed
at the High School level. Everyone she competed with was several years older
than her but she stood her ground and made an impact to her team while earning
a spot as lead off leg on the varsity 4x100 relay. By being the youngest on the
team Ariana had to work harder and be more confident while on the track. She
is already running a solid 100m in a consistent 13.2s and knows that she will only
get faster over time.
Q: How old are you and
what school do you attend?
A: I am 12 years old
about to be 13 in October and I attend Nyack Middle School but run for Nyack
High School varsity team.
Q: How did you get the
nickname “Weezus”?
A: Well I have asthma
and after a long day of training I wheeze a little before I take my pump. So my
teammates started calling me Weezus.
Q: When did you first
start running track and field?
A: I started running
track when I was about 5 or 6 years old. My parents would take my brother and I
to compete at track meets in the New York area. My parents helped start up a
track club which I was a member of and this gave me the foundation to run,
teaching me the correct running techniques, form and to compete against some
top runners. So when I signed up for the High School team I had the base
already and the coaching staff took me under their wing and gave me tough
workouts to make me a stronger athlete. Though I still have another year left
before I even enter High School I will only get better and learn from my peers.