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Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week

3 min read
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Name: Aliyah Moye

School: Washington

Class: Senior

Sport: Track

Moye’s week: Moye medaled in two events, including winning a gold medal in the long jump, at the WPIAL Class AA Track & Field Championships at Baldwin High School.

Moye won the event on the final jump of the last flight, going 17-4. It was the longest jump of her scholastic career. Interestingly, her other two attempts in the final flight went 17-0 1/4 and 17-21/4 , the only time she broke 17 feet.

“It was so surprising,” said Moye. “I came in as the sixth seed.”

Moye came into the tournament believing she had a stronger chance to qualify in the sprints. Her time of 13.01 in the 100-meter dash earned a medal but did not qualify her for the PIAA Championships at Shippensburg University over this weekend. In the 200, she tripped in the preliminary heat and did not make it to the finals. Moye was 15th in the triple jump with a 30-111/4 effort.

Versatile: One of Moye’s strengths as a track athlete is her versatility. She can run the sprints, is a strong jumper and can be put into the short relay. She said she took up jumping because she wasn’t sure where she would be more productive.

“When I started the season, I didn’t expect to be in the sprints,” she said. “I’ve always been competitive in the long jump.”

One of the things that helps her in the long jump is her speed. She also is explosive off the board and uses good technique.

“The thing I did different (in the long jump finals) was that I ran faster than I normally do,” Moye said. “When they told me it was over 17 feet, I was so excited. To hit it (in the championships) is exciting.”

Must be the sleeves: It’s easy to spot Moye on the track. She is the one wearing hot pink compression sleeves on her legs. Some believe they are socks, but they are mistaken.

“I have shin splints,” Moye said. “The compression sleeves help. They come in al different colors but I wanted a neon (color). Everyone thinks pink is my favorite color but purple is. They didn’t have purple in the sleeves. Neon colors are pretty.”

Now she is preparing to show off those colors at the state tournament.

“Since it is my only event now, I’ll do special workouts,” she said.

And she has a goal in mind.

“I want to hit 18 feet,” she said. “That’s what I want to hit now.”

Compiled by Joe Tuscano

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