Senior varsity track runner Reanda Richards has showcased her elite level of talent through a multitude of records this year as well as playing a pivotal role on the track team. Richards has placed well in the 400m event, 100m hurdles and her most prominent accomplishment being her record for the 400m hurdles at a track meet on April 14 – beating out every high school girl in the country.

Q: How does it feel to have the title of “The Fastest Girl in the Country”?

Reanda: Ever since I was young, I’ve always dreamed of doing something incredible. It feels as if I have accomplished one of my goals and I’m so thankful for being given the opportunity to do that.

Q: You’ve obviously had great success as a track runner. How did you get to where you are now?

Reanda: The journey to getting where I am now hasn’t been easy. I’ve been training for 6 days a week for 9 years. The support of my peers, parents and coaches has helped greatly.

Q: What motivates you to continue running?

Reanda: I’ve always seen how how hard my parents work to support me and their kids and that made me want to do something to make them proud. By making them proud, I’ve also made myself proud.

Q: What’s your usual mindset on race day?

Reanda: I’m obviously looking to have fun and do what I love but usually the nerves come out and I want to win.

Q: Considering the track team’s great success, what’s the attitude going into Nationals?

Reanda: We are all very positive because we know that Nationals is a different level of difficulty. We’re still looking to do our very best and continue the success we started out with.

Q: You’ve been very close to Reanda over her years here at West Essex. What is she like as a person aside from track?

Coach Emering: Reanda is an incredibly talented but also very humble, gracious, and hard working young lady. In the past year or so, her personality and sense of humor have risen to the surface and she appears to be so at home on and around the track. Reanda has also excelled in school by bringing the same qualities of focus and hard work to her academic pursuits.

Q: What has it been like to coach Reanda?

Coach Emering: Reanda has carried the pressure of being one of the very top track and field athletes in the country in very stoic fashion. She is very grounded and has not been caught up in, or negatively impacted by her own success. She is incredibly easy to coach due to her willingness to learn and take suggestion. I feel personally fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her on occasion.