By Blake Chadwick
For Aaliyah Bolden, the Wichita Heights senior has turned years of dedication into one of the top sprint resumes in the area, all while emerging as a leader for her team.
Bolden first found the sport in 7th grade, encouraged by her parents to give it a shot. What started as something new quickly became something she loved, and over time, something she excelled at.
“Track has taught me a lot about discipline, perseverance, and believing in yourself even when things get tough,” Bolden said.
Now in her final season, Bolden’s biggest strengths go beyond just her times. Her work ethic and determination set the tone for those around her, helping create a competitive and supportive environment within the program.
“In practice, I focus on the little things so they show up in meets,” she said. “When I step on the track, I trust my training and compete at my highest level.”
Wichita Heights as a team feeds off that same mentality. According to Bolden, the group’s ability to push one another has been a key factor in their growth.
“As a team, one of our biggest strengths is how we push each other,” Bolden said. “Everyone wants to improve and compete at a high level.”
Head coach Rajiv Foster has seen that growth firsthand, especially from the very beginning of her high school career.
“Aaliyah is a great kid that worked her tail off to get to the level she’s running at,” Foster said. “After her first meet as a freshman, we knew she had something special and worked to maximize her potential.”
