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Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice, Galesburg, Galesburg High School, Galesburg Silver Streaks, Girls Track and Field, HBCU, Historically Black College and University, IHSA, IHSA Track & Field, NCAA Division I Track, Silver Streaks, Streaks, Streaks of Galesburg, Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University Tigers, Tigers of Tennessee State University
By Matthew Wheaton, Wheat on the Prairie
GALESBURG — Galesburg High School senior Syriah Boyd is currently busy competing on the hardwood for the Silver Streaks.
And she’s yet to take part in her final season as a sprinter for Galesburg’s girls track and field team.
However, Boyd has nailed down what her next step will be once she graduates.
Last week, Boyd verbally committed to continue her track and field career at Tennessee State University, a Historically Black College and University, in Nashville, and she’s excited about that opportunity once it comes.
“I feel like I’ll be able to go there and make a difference,” Boyd said after last Tuesday night’s girls basketball game between Galesburg and Washington.
Boyd had a handful of scholarship offers to put on track spikes at the next level but TSU felt like the right fit for her.
“It was between Ball State, Northern Illinois University and TSU because they all offered a full ride,” Boyd said. “At the end of the day, I wanted to go out of state and Nashville, Tennessee, sounds like a good place to be. Also, when I went on my visit and met with the coach (Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice) and my teammates there was just an automatic bond, which is what makes the sport fun.
“The coach has two Olympic gold medals and one silver in the events that I run in,” added Boyd, who will major in nursing at TSU. “She’s going to be somebody that can probably help me a lot.”
Sights set on trio of GHS school records
Boyd, who was named the MVP of the Western Big 6 last spring, competes in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dash, and she has some goals she wants to accomplish before her high school career concludes.
“My goals are to beat my 200 record and get the 100 record and the 400 record,” Boyd said. “To get those, I just have to grind on the track and push myself.”
The Galesburg school record in the 200 is 24.81 seconds. The 400 school record mark is 56.6, and Boyd’s personal best in the event is 56.8. The time to break in the 100 is 12.1, and Boyd’s PR is 12.3.
“I should get there and break them,” said Boyd, who — including middle school — has competed at state for eight straight seasons.
Departing thought…
“Track is definitely a mental sport so when it comes time to having big meets having a lot of experience helps mentally so you won’t psych yourself out,” Boyd said.
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