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Just one word can send Golden Valley track’s Kylee Davis, Ta’Ahjah “TJ” Fann, Nevaeh Williams, Adonijah “Donnie” Currie and Tylar Gallien to the ground, sprawled out and laughing.
It’s the type of hyper-specific inside joke that can only be developed through time, through trials and, above all, through winning.
“We’re all friendly with each other,” Gallien said. “People think we’re being mean to each other, but that’s the same sense of humor. It’s kind of built over the years of just growing up together and just learning the same type of humor.”
The girls giggling on Golden Valley’s turf comprise one of the fastest 4×100-meter relay teams in the nation. Their dynamic has helped them post a time of 46.03 seconds, which ranks them first in the state and fifth in the country.
Some members of the relay compete in other events on a stacked Golden Valley team. Currie holds the fastest time in the state in the 200 (23.64), second-fastest time in the 400 (53.69), and Davis has the best long jump mark in the state (20 feet, 0.5 inches), to name a few of the individual accomplishments.
Stopped by practice to talk with Golden Valley's fastest ladies today and they are having FUN out here.
Story on the GV 4×100 relay team coming soon. pic.twitter.com/sfnq25cBCm
— Haley Sawyer (@haleymsawyer) April 25, 2022
But because of the event’s success in recent years, it’s become an honor to be a part of the Grizzlies’ 4×100 relay team.
“We’re humble but we we have a great opportunity to make history,” coach Lonnie Davis said. “They really just want to get better every week, and going against like the Long Beach Polys, Long Beach Wilsons and being able to get the prestigious recognition that they have. That’s all we ever wanted.”
Golden Valley placed third in the 4×100 at the CIF State Championships last season, clocking a 47.13. The team was looking strong in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic kept the world from seeing what it was fully capable of.
This year, it’s a new group of runners but similar results. Currie, a junior, is one of the latest additions, joining the team last season after playing exclusively basketball in her athletic career. She’s now in the anchor spot in the 4×100.
“I like pressure,” Currie said. “So when I’m running, I don’t know, it’s just fun. And it’s difficult because I have to be patient to wait for the third leg to get there. And sometimes I get really nervous, I get really jittery.”
To calm her nerves, Currie reminds herself she can trust her teammates. Although only four people run the 4×100 relay at a time, Golden Valley has five capable runners with Gallien and Fann switching out in the second leg depending on who needs rest or more time for their individual events.
The Grizzlies are striving to win a CIF state title this season in any capacity, and if the 4×100 team or anyone involved in it reaches that goal, they’ll be the first in Golden Valley history to win an individual state title.
Beyond that, the relay team has the chance to compete for further recognition by competing in national postseason meets. The Grizzlies came in second behind Westlake, a high school in Atlanta that ranks No. 2 nationally in the 4×100, at the Arcadia Invitational earlier this season.
Coach Davis said that his team wants a rematch.
With its competitive drive and the laughing fits, Golden Valley’s 4×100 team is a never-ending sugar rush. How far that rush goes is up to them.
“There’s a lot of support on our team and just between us girls,” Williams said. “We always push each other to do our best and we always make sure to pray or put God first. We’re all really hard workers and we all want the best for one another, and on top of that we all want to go big places.”
Laughter is key ingredient for Golden Valley’s state-leading girls relay team - LA Daily News
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