It's gold medals galore for Winslow Township's Dancy
One year ago, Shakira Dancy was competing for New Manchester High School in the Douglas County, Ga., track and field championships.
One year ago, Shakira Dancy was competing for New Manchester High School in the Douglas County, Ga., track and field championships.
Three months ago, Dancy was competing for Eastern High School at the New Jersey indoor track and field championships.
On Friday, Dancy will lead Winslow Township High School into the South Jersey Group 3 championships at Central Regional High School.
"I adapt quickly," Dancy said of her nomadic lifestyle over the last 12 months.
Dancy also runs quickly. She has blossomed into one of the athletes to watch on the South Jersey girls' track and field scene with a series of increasingly impressive performances in her first season with the Eagles.
"I've had a lot of [high-level] girls run in my program," Winslow Township coach George Horne said. "But [Dancy] is special."
The rangy Dancy, a sophomore, burst into prominence at the Camden County track and field championships.
She won four gold medals that day, taking first place in the 100 meters (12.43 seconds), 200 (24.37), and 400 (57.12) as well as anchoring the Eagles' 4x400 relay team to victory (3 minutes, 55.43 seconds).
"At Camden Countys, she really came out," Horne said. "She's exploded. She's found a new gear."
Dancy won a pair of gold medals at the Olympic Conference championships on May 18 at Washington Township.
Running in steady rain on a cool afternoon, Dancy won the 100 (12.55) and 200 (25.04).
"I didn't like it," Dancy said of running in the rain. "It wasn't fun. But I made it through."
Dancy considers the 400 to be her best event. She focused on the 100 and 200 at the conference meet to improve her starts, according to Horne.
"The 400, it's more of a mental challenge," Dancy said. "I like that part of it."
Dancy will compete in the 100 and 400 at the sectional championships on Friday night. The 200 and 4x400 relay are Saturday.
"She works really hard," Horne said. "Since she's been with us, she's made a big difference. She's made the team that much better."
Dancy said she grew up in Sicklerville with many of the athletes on the Winslow Township team. She moved to Georgia and ran for New Manchester as a freshman, taking second in the 5A regionals in the 400 in 59.77.
Dancy said she moved to the Voorhees area before the start of the school year. She competed for Eastern at the indoor state championships, taking seventh in the 200 (26.08) and 10th in the 400 (58.94) at the Meet of Champions.
Dancy said she switched residences again before the spring, moving back to Winslow Township's district.
She said the changes haven't bothered her.
"I actually enjoy it," Dancy said.
At Winslow Township during the outdoor season, Dancy has emerged as one of South Jersey's most versatile and valuable sprinters.
"It revealed my true potential," Dancy said of her performances at the Camden County and Olympic Conference meets. "It showed I can push myself that far, and now I know I can go farther in the future."
@PhilAnastasia