By Neto Baptiste
Women’s sprinter and national record holder in both the 100 and 200 meters, Joella Lloyd, has her eyes set on a sub 11 seconds performance during the 2023/24 track season.
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, Lloyd said she was on course to dip below 11 seconds in the 100 meters just before picking up a hamstring injury in March this year.
“My training partner, she was able to go sub-11 this year and at practice we were right neck and neck with each other. [Tennessee] has a history for the past five years because all of their female sprinters have gone sub-11, so I am really confident that I can. It’s a goal of mine that I have had for a very long time; just achieving that would make me feel on top of the world,” she said.
The University of Tennessee student said although there has been a number of other setbacks, she is confident she will achieve the goal.
“I have two more years to compete for Tennessee because of Covid. When I first got there I got injured so I was out that whole season, and then I got injured this season so I get back the season I got injured. My coach and I were really upset because he could see my trajectory was about to go down to about sub-11 and just as I was getting accustomed to his training was when I picked up my injury. We’re hoping that next year I stay healthy and I can do what he thinks I can do,” Lloyd said.
The sprinter said that going to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 has helped her to grow from an experience standpoint.
“Since I’ve been to the pinnacle of the sport I feel like I’ve been able to control my nerves when it comes to races because I’ve been there, been where most people want to go. I’ve also been able to meet different athletes [who] told me about their experiences and what has helped them in their career and I’ve cemented some of that stuff in my routine,” the Antiguan said.
Lloyd currently holds the 100 meters record with a time of 11.19 seconds and the 200 record with a time of 23.09 seconds.
