Emerald Ridge Track Star Runs For National Prize

For most high school students, summer is a time to relax, or to go to camp. For Emerald Ridge High School track and field athlete ShaRaya Quinn, it’s a time to move one step closer to her dream.

Quinn went out for track in eighth grade at the suggestion of a friend who thought she was fast. Now, as a high school senior, she has a state title in the 300m hurdles and is moving on to the Junior Olympics in the 100m and 400m hurdles.

“Throughout the season, my coach (Bob Frey) has said, ‘You’re going to do cool stuff in the summer and have all these great opportunities,’” said Quinn. “He told me to try and go for the Junior Olympics. He’s been really helpful and gives me motivation.”

Quinn moved to the Puyallup area from Kennewick two years ago and runs with the ERHS track team. She quickly adapted to the contrasting atmosphere.

“In the Tri-Cities, it’s always hot and there’s no rain,” Quinn said. “I had to get used to running in the rain and the cold weather. And the South Puget Sound League is really competitive.”

One thing that makes Quinn unique from most of the other competitors at the Junior Olympics is that she isn’t part of a club track team and will race unattached. She’ll compete against other 17- and 18-year-olds, the oldest age group at the junior level.

“The times are really fast,” Quinn said. “I’m kind of in the middle with both my races. I’ll have to drop a little bit to be able to make it to finals.”

Quinn has gotten letters from colleges that are following her progress. Competing at the Junior Olympics will help more recruiters see her. Her top choice at the moment is UCLA. But she isn’t forgetting about the upcoming year.

“I want to break the state record because I was really close to it this year, and the girl who broke it was from Emerald Ridge,” Quinn said. “I just want to defend my title and win the 100m hurdles too.”

She has even higher anticipations for herself down the road.

“In the 2020 Olympics, I’m going to be 25, and 26 is the peak age for track athletes,” Quinn said. “If I drop five more seconds, I can make it to the Olympic trials. That’s my long-term goal.”