Coming from a family of athletes, Ayreon Little (11) had always wanted to play a sport. When she was six, she found the right one, and she would go on to compete in it for the next decade.

“I started running when I was around six years old,” Little said. “My family has a lot of athletes and that inspired me to do a sport.”

When she was 14, she started running club. Along with offseason competitions, she started to train five days a week. Because of how much time she spent running, it began to take a toll not just on her time, but also her health.

Beginning in her eighth grade season, she suffered from a hamstring injury which heavily impacted her running ability. Her condition worsened as she kept competing. However, starting physical therapy has allowed her health to improve despite her continued competition, allowing her club team, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), to qualify for nationals, as well as states.

“I’ve had a hamstring injury for four years now, [which has] affected [my running] a lot, but I think it’s getting better and better,” Little said. “We’re one of the top relays in the state. ”

Although track is a physical sport, it’s just as much a mental one to Little. She has had to work to overcome not just her injury, but also the stress of a race.

“[Before a race] my heart beats really fast,” Little said. “I [usually] pray when I’m really nervous.”

All of Little’s work in running over the past decade has built up to her qualifications into States and Nationals, but because of factors like her hamstring injury and the pressure of qualifying. Little has had “one of her hardest seasons ever.” However, through all of it, she has had supporters with her.

“A lot of my family, friends and coaches helped me get through [the season],” Little said. “I would say [My biggest achievements are] qualifying for states, and competing with my nationally ranked AAU team.”