Kami Hickson holds the fastest female 800-meter time in South Jersey, third fastest in state this year.
Two minutes and 14.99 seconds. That’s how long it takes Washington Township High School freshman Kami Hickson, 15, to run 800 meters, or half a mile. With that time, Hickson is the fastest female in all of South Jersey and the third-fastest in the state this year.
Hickson fell in love with track when she was in kindergarten, begging her parents to let her join the Washington Township youth track and field team.
“There was a flier that went around for youth track and I said, ‘mom, I want to do track,’ and she said, ‘well, do we even have a track team?’ She let me go out for it and I just fell in love with it,” Hickson said.
The South Jersey Group IV sectional champion took first at the Group IV state championship with her record time in the 800 meters, and placed fourth at the Meet of Champions.
“I just want to give the glory to God … It was an extremely amazing feeling, a rush of adrenaline,” Hickson said on earning the state champion title. “It was very shocking, but I was very happy with myself knowing all of my hard work was paying off.”
Hickson was the only freshman to be named to the 2016–17 All-South Jersey Winter Track team.
“I find my team to be very supportive in basically everything I do, so it makes things a lot easier, especially going in as a freshman,” Hickson said of the All-South Jersey Winter Track team. “Knowing I have the support of the upperclassmen, it’s refreshing.”
At the Board of Education work session meeting last week, Hickson was recognized and honored for her achievements by Washington Township High School Principal Ann Moore and the board. Moore described Hickson as “the definition of a student-athlete.”
“She got to high school in September, she got started, she hit the ground running and she really hasn’t slowed down at all, literally,” Moore said. “She is more than a student-athlete, she is the student that has decided to get involved at different levels … This is what we would love to see our students across the board strive to become, to get involved in so many facets, but above all of that, Kami is a great student.”
According to Moore, Hickson has been involved with the high school’s art programs, such as dance, having performed in the recent performance, “Iconic.” Hickson is also a member of the high school’s student council, and excels in the classroom with honors and AP level courses.
“She’s doing extremely well,” Moore said. “She’s amazing and we’re very proud of her.”
Hickson said although she has played other sports, such as field hockey and dance, running and track are her passion.
“I always go back to track because I feel like it’s a very individual kind of sport. I like how it’s just you, yourself and the track,” Hickson said.
According to Hickson, she typically doesn’t go a day without running. She runs in the 100-, 200-, 400-, 800- and 1600-meter dashes, saying that’s about as long in distance as she can go, as well as relays.
“My favorite would have to be the 800-meter,” Hickson said. “It’s not super long and it’s not a sprint, it’s in the middle, which I like.”
She and her team practice by going on long runs or performing track workouts, however, she said the coach she’s had forever is her dad.
“He and I have a great relationship,” Hickson said. “He had all of these amazing records for track and then he also played football in high school. He did track and football in college, too; he’s a great athlete.”
Holding her own record, Hickson said she looks forward to going back to defend her title next year, while also hitting all of her personal records and dropping more time. Already looking past the next three years, she hopes to go to college on a scholarship, make it as a professional and go to the Olympics.
Board of Education President Ginny Murphy said at the meeting she believes they’ll be seeing much more of Hickson during the next few years.
“You started your legacy at Washington Township already. You’ll be on the banner of the state championship team as a freshman,” Murphy said. “We have a lot of great things to look forward to in the next three years, we’ll be following you closely.”
Murphy recognized Hickson on her dedication and “outstanding representation” of her sport, district and community.
