Junior Joanna Atkins started as the track underdog, but after last season's national championship, she is the one to watch.
"Joanna is disciplined," said head coach Ralph Spry. "She comes to work hard everyday without expectations. She is not only a determined athlete, but a hard student, too."
Atkins, from Stone Mountain, Ga., began running at age 10 after taking a flier home from school.
She joined the track team in sixth grade and has ran ever since.
She has won the title of NCAA Champion in the 400-meter sprints, running a personal best of 50.39. She is also the SEC Champion in the 100-meter relay. "People are really looking at me now," Atkins said. "I am used to being the underdog. I don't have a lot to prove, but I am here to stay." This season, Atkins goal for the SEC and National Championship is to run the 400-meter sprints in 49.0 seconds.
Atkins hopes to eventually make it to the 2012 Olympics in London.
"Joanna is a very gifted athlete," Spry said. "She has a lot of range from running the 100, 200 and 400 meter. She is so versatile. Every year, she is learning new things and will continue to mature." Atkins said she does not just rely on herself to do well. I pray before practice and when I am on the track." Atkins said. "I read scriptures. I remember last year getting ready for practice. It was hard to (practice) everyday hard, so I prayed. Practice got easier, the Lord made it easy. I don't know why he did it, but he helped me." Practice and praying are
not the only keys to Atkins' success. She also keeps to a strict diet.
"I eat baked chicken, fish, salads and fresh fruit," Atkins said. "I drink lots of water and Gatorade. I have to eat fewer sweets. "
Atkins does allow herself junk food after a good race. "I love chocolate," Atkins said. "I like to treat myself
to brownies and cookies." Atkins works hard to excel on the track, but she does not want to be just a good athlete, she wants to be a good students as well. "I want to graduate with a 3.0 GPA," Atkins said. "School has been a struggle ever since I started. I am a hard worker and I don't procrastinate. My recent accomplishment was getting my first A in small business finance."
Spry said Atkins is a complete student. She works hard to be a complete athlete as well.
Atkins believes that her hard work on the track has rubbed off academically.
Between track practice and classes, a day in the life of Atkins is long. She wakes up at 8 a.m., attends classes and then practice.
"After practice, I shower, eat and then go to study hall," Atkins said. "After study hall it is bed time or sometimes more studying. I put my whole life into track, everything, all my time."
After Atkins leaves Auburn, she hopes to one day start her own day care.
"I really like kids," Atkins said. "My mom's close friend owned a daycare. I used to help out and when I was old enough I started working there. I really got attracted to the children. "
Atkins has bright plans for her future and that includes the Tyson Invitational this weekend in Fayetteville, Ark.
"I am nervous about running the 400," Atkins said. "The competition is going to packed."
After last weekend's race at Penn State, Atkins has nothing to worry about. She ran the women's 400 meters in 52.79 seconds, tying her for third place in the NCAA this year.
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