Track Success Runs Rampant In Kimberly Harris’ Household

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

When Kimberly Harris started running track at the age of 10, she didn’t know much about the sport.

Her summer track coach, Andre Al-Ghani, came to one of her soccer practices and watched her run after one of Harris’ teammates suggested she start running with the Jackrabbit Track Club. 

“The only thing I remember from my first couple of meets is wearing the ugly light gold wrestler uniform,” she said. “My parents both ran in high school for a short period of time.”

Those memories of ugly uniforms would soon shift to feelings of success in youth meets, forging a new path for her family through several years competing on the USATF Junior Olympics circuit. Those experiences showed Harris how to be ready to compete in high school. 

Already a two-time Georgia Class 5A state champion in the 400 meters, Harris, a junior at Buford High, burst onto the national stage last month at New Balance Nationals Indoor, winning the 400 title in 52.62 seconds. 

Now, she is also guiding light for her younger sisters.

Sydney (14), Olivia (10) and Carrington (7) are all coming up to follow in Kimberly's footsteps. Sydney and Olivia have both won national championships in their USATF Junior Olympic age groups and Carrington is hot on their heels. The future is definitely bright for the Harrises. 

“A lot of people still haven’t put the pieces together that we have four girls that are all very competitive nationally in track and field,” said James Harris, the girls' father.

“The older three have all won national championships and broken national records at some point. Our youngest one (Carrington) has the potential to do the same, but the bar has been set real high in the Harris house.”

It's a household full of driven, motivated girls.

“God has blessed our girls with the will to compete, have a positive attitude, natural athletic ability, and heart,” said their mother, Cortina. “They all work extremely hard in school, at practice, and when it comes time to compete. We have watched all the girls and they all have been blessed to run and run fast.”

Kimberly knows that she must lead by example, something she didn't have when she started out at 10.

“They follow everything I do, so I have to make sure I pay attention to how I respond to things so they know how to respond if the are in the same situation,” she said. “As for the competitiveness, we are all very competitive. We go back and forth all the time about who is the fastest or whose times are faster at certain ages. It pushes us to work hard and I enjoy it.”

Her dad echoed that sentiment and noted that Kimberly doesn’t take it easy on her younger sisters.

“Kimberly loves her sisters and knows that they’re watching her,” he explained. “We tell her all the time, it’s tough being the oldest, because your sisters are watching everything you do, and they want to be more like you than us. If they are competing, Kimberly tries to beat them and they are trying to beat her non-stop.

“It’s a never-ending competition in our house, but we wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “Especially, if you’re trying to raise a house full of champions. It’s bigger than sports. We’re just using sports for the girls to see the bigger picture of what it takes to be a champion in life.”

In New York, Harris came from behind in the final lap to win the NBNI title. She took inspiration from watching the NCAA final the night before, when USC sophomore sprinter Kaelin Roberts came from behind and snatched victory in the final meters.

POST-RACE INTERVIEW

“I just realized that I had just as much of an opportunity to win as she did and that she was a great athlete that made me have to fight,” Harris said. “I honestly wanted to see how much fight I had in me and where my endurance would take me.”

Not only did she win the race, but Harris got a new indoor PR. Her time was just shy of the 52.33 she ran outdoors in 2018.

“I was very close to my outdoor personal best, which means I am faster than last year,” she said. “This made me want to keep working hard so I can display the talents that God has blessed me with at other meets.”

The transition from indoor to outdoor season has been fairly smooth. Harris has been focused on speed and endurance work.

What’s a good day at practice?

“It would probably be a practice including circuits,” Harris said. “I’m looking forward to the (peak of the) outdoor season. My main goal is to continue to get stronger. I want to continue my journey and see how far I will go and the different things I will accomplish.”

Get To Know Kimberly

If you weren't competing in track and field what sport would you be doing? 

I’d be doing either soccer or basketball.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

Everybody is going to hate, and nobody is going to want to give you your respect, so you have to take what’s yours and make them know your name.

Do you have a pre-race routine or ritual?

I really just listen to music and try to get/stay focused.

What is your favorite thing to eat after a meet?

Chipotle.

What do you love most about track and field?

What I like most about track and field is how anyone can win on any given day, as well as the adversity of the sport.

Finish this sentence… Kimberly Harris is a ________. 

Kimberly Harris is a student-athlete.