Forney High School graduate and current freshman at the University of South Carolina Upstate, Bracie Vaughn, is setting records. She recently clocked a new fastest time for USC Upstate in the 60m hurdles at the Big South Indoor Track and Field Championships in Winston-Salem, South Carolina. In the preliminary round, Bracie placed third with a time of 8.56, an achievement that advanced her to the finals and simultaneously broke her school’s record. In the finals round, she placed 6th, finishing at 8.60.
“Bracie was an ‘undiscovered gem’ out of high school,” Reagen Beal, Assistant Coach for the USC Upstate track and field program, commented. “It has been awesome watching her develop as a hurdler. At indoor conference, I congratulated her on making finals and breaking our school record and she said: ‘Coach, this is new to me, I’ve never qualified for any championship finals.’ My response was: ‘You’re arriving. You’re going to find yourself in a lot of finals from now on so understand that you qualify and belong!’ It’s athletes like Bracie that make my job easy!”
Vaughn’s track and field career began when she was a seventh grader and has progressed over these last several years building an impressive resumé, including being named FHS Track & Field Athlete of the Year and winning numerous district and area titles. Now Vaughn trains extensively with Coach Beal and the coaching staff at USC Upstate, working daily to improve her skills and reach her goals. When asked how she finds the motivation to work so diligently, day in and day out, Bracie says, “My coach, the other ladies, and especially the seniors inspire me.” But this wise young woman is quick to point out that, while they inspire her, her true competition is against herself. “I always want to be better than I was the day before.”
On the heels of the Big South Indoor Track and Field Championships, Vaughn’s next goal is to prepare for outdoor track and field season while continuing her studies in pre-law. Her advice to other up-and-comers is simple but straight forward: “Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. Stay humble. Stay true to yourself. And work hard.”
With the wisdom and work ethic that Vaughn continues to show, onlookers can expect great things from her in both her athletic and academic careers.
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