Page 94 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2019

SPORTS & OUTDOORS naturally gifted
Brooklyn Biancamano
Making a Foot Print in High School Track
story by A.J. Giardina photos courtesy of Erin Biancamano
15-year-old Brooklyn Biancamano displayed her athletic talents at the age of four, having excelled in youth soccer. When Brooklyn was 13 years old, she attended a training camp with her soccer club. That training camp would steer the soccer standout in another direction.
Brooklyn’s mom, Erin Biancamano said, “A speed and agility coach noticed Brooklyn’s speed and he asked her if she ran track. She said no. He gave
me his contact number and the summer before her 7th grade year, Brooklyn started training.”
Brooklyn decided to give up on kicking a soccer ball and began running full-speed ahead in track. How good was Brooklyn? She went on to capture the 1600 meters 5A state championship for Long Beach High School at the age of 13.
The freshman is focused on winning a fifth 5A state championship track title this month to go along with two cross country championships.
“My goal this year is to break 5 minutes in the mile – that’s what keeps pushing me,” said Brooklyn. Her mother is by her side. Erin began coaching the Long Beach girls long distance track team this year. Dr. Richard Osness Reinsvold is Brooklyn’s para-professional coach.
Erin said, “I think the sky’s the limit. If you put the work in and you train hard, you can do anything in life. Brooklyn is naturally gifted in this sport and she also excels in academics.”
Brooklyn is following in the footsteps of former Pass Christian High School and Florida Gators standout Corey McGee, who continues to hold the state’s best times in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meters.
“I’ve met Corey and two of her sisters,” Brooklyn
said. “They’re great people and I look up to Corey. I hope to break her state records someday.” She’s also looking forward to the future saying, “I think it would be amazing to run in the Olympics. That’s a definite goal of mine.”
Brooklyn’s personal best times are: 2:21 (800m), 5:06 (1600m), and 11:10 (3200m). She was named the 2018-2019 Gatorade Player of the Year for Mississippi Cross Country.
94 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • May 2019
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STAR
ERIN AND BROOKLYN Biancamano