East Marion multi-sport athlete Tytianna Porter has settled on a sport and where she will spend the next four years of her athletic career.
Porter, who also starred for the Lady Eagles in basketball, volleyball and track, said it felt great to sign a letter of intent Friday morning to run track at William Carey.
“It didn’t matter which sport I continued with because I like them all. I just like competing,” she said. “I had been looking at William Carey before the scholarship, and that’s where I wanted to continue my career. Once I got the track (scholarship), it just put the icing on the cake.”
Porter claimed three state titles this year at the 1A track championships and actually received her offer during the middle of the meet May 3 at Pearl High School.
“I had one more race to do, and I was just excited. They were about to leave and didn’t know I had another race. They came by, we talked and they said they wanted to offer me,” Porter recalled.
The recent graduate claimed gold medals in the 100 meter hurdles (16.06 seconds), 100 meter dash (12.8 seconds) and in the 4x100 meter relay. She also earned a bronze medal in the 200 meter dash (27.43 seconds).
While she will continue running hurdles with the Lady Crusaders, Porter said the William Carey coaches want her to get accustomed to distance running to compete in the 4x400 meter relay.
“I have to train for it to get ready,” she said. “I did it before, but I don’t really like it. It’s not me. I’m not a distance runner. I’m going to have to do some conditioning so I’ll be able to last the whole race.”
Porter said her parents (Kelvin and Shlissa), her grandparents, coach Shalamar Walker and coach Calvin Brown were big influences in helping her achieve her dream of being a collegiate athlete.
The Lady Crusaders placed first in the Southern States Athletic Conference Championships April 19 and 20 and will compete in the NAIA Outdoor National Championship in Gulf Shores, Ala., this weekend.
Pictured Above: Joining Tytianna Porter, seated in center, on her signing day were, seated, from left, her mom Shlissa and dad Kelvin; second row, Johnny Porter, Carsen Oatis, Jayda Porter, Dajona Oatis, Ellen Porter and Kecia Porter; back row, Ricky Myers, B.T. Porter, Chey Oatis, Denise Oatis and Gwen Booth. | Photo Submitted
