Sparkle McKnight Athletics – Track (400m Hurdles)

However, she wasn’t chosen to run the final race. It was bittersweet for the Central Trinidad speedster, who eventually moved to Texas to train and study Sport Psychology after her days at Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive.

In 2012, McKnight copped silver in the 4x400m relay for TT at the North America, Central America and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-23 Track and Field Championships in Costa Rica, which caught the eyes of many associated with the sport.

It culminated years of regional hard work that saw her notch silver medals in the 4x400m relay in the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Junior Championships in Trinidad and at the 2008 CARIFTA U20 Games in St Kitts. She then nabbed silvers in the 400m and 4x400m relay in the CARIFTA U20s two years later in Cayman Islands which all built to her aforementioned Costa Rican feat and which emphasised her transition into a senior. This set the stage for Morelia, Mexico, in 2013 where gold was attained in the Central American and Caribbean Championships (CAC) 4x400m relay, just ahead of arch-rivals Jamaica.

Last year, she returned to San Jos?, Costa Rica at the NACAC Seniors and stunned the field in the 400m Hurdles to take silver. It also saw her set a personal best in 55.41. But it’s her first National Championship in 2012 that stands out to her most. It was the 400m _ nal which she took in a Championship record 52.44 seconds and which she often credits as the start of big things to come. It was also her first under 53 seconds which sparkles as one of her most valuable runs to date.

Last May she ran 56.23 in the 400m Hurdles in Jamaica to boost her confidence for the upcoming Olympic event, extending the diligent hours put in with Arkansas Razorbacks in training. All with the intent of individual glory and erasing not being chosen for the final race four years ago.