Patience. That’s how senior sprinter Karene King describes her last season running at Portland State University.
That patience has led the senior to a very successful track tenure at Portland State, including four school records. King had four gold medals last season, and she only hopes to continue her success this year at the Big Sky indoor championships, possibly her last ever meet as a Viking.
“It’s bittersweet,” King said. “I am happy, because I have accomplished a lot. And I have found people here that not only are teammates and friends, but [friends] that will last a lifetime. The bitter part is that I will no longer be with them, train with them, travel with them.”
The senior sprinter hopes to run well enough in the Big Sky championships to get to nationals. Nationals would be very impressive for the senior, but that’s not the biggest stage she has her eye on. The 2012 summer Olympics are this August, and King hopes to run in them.
“Let’s just say I’m on the right track right now,” King said. “It’s not like I will need a big miracle. It’s like yes, this could happen. I’m going to stay and keep training, and I’m on that track to make it for my team 4×1 relay and the 200 open.”
King is from the British Virgin Islands. Before coming to PSU, she attended Central Arizona College for two years. Her track career as a Viking has been filled with nothing but school records and medals. She has a total of eight medals going into the Big Sky championships this weekend and she can only add to that total. Her 200-meter time is the fastest in Portland State history, indoor or outdoor. King believes that a lot of her success is due to tough competition.
“My teammates are all very good competitors on the track,” King said. “I train with the best. I train with the Big Sky champion, [who] is Gerronne Black. She has been one of the best people to train with. I also train with most of the top sprinters in the Big Sky conference. My teammates are tremendous. What else can I ask for?”
The senior has also had a great relationship with head coach Ronnye Harrison, who has helped push her to what she has accomplished.
“His training works,” King said. “He is a wonderful coach on and off the track. He’s not only a coach to us; to most, he is a friend and a father figure. When I came here I was struggling, and now I have the possibility to make the 2012 Olympics. That’s how much he has helped me.”
The feelings for each other are mutual. Harrison appreciates the things King has done.
“Her work ethic, her honesty, her passion for training,” Harrison said. “She is one of the rare people that God sent to PSU. [Off the track] she is a wonderful person, she is my team captain and she is absolutely one of the best people I have ever had the opportunity to coach.”
King, as well as 17 other Vikings will be competing in the Big Sky indoor championships this weekend in Flagstaff, Arizona.