Dalencia's journey to the AAU Junior Olympics

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — Coming out of the blocks and into the world of running, Dalencia Kittrell who spent the first nine years of her life in Haiti, jumped on the new athletic opportunities that came with the family’s move to the States.

Dalencia saying, "I really liked it down there, just felt comfortable, there wasn't much, but it was good."

"Coming to America at 9, she was really able to explore all the options that were available," said her dad, Hunter Kittrell

Giving everything a try, Dalencia dabbled in dance, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics before her friends recommended track in the 8th grade . She’s been running with it ever since.

"We have a very small track program, but this year was pretty big so it was really fun" said Dalencia.

Her high school coach at University High, Dan Lawson, adding, "from a coaches perspective, to see growth in a program is really quite rewarding."

Placing second and third in the state tournament for University High, Dalencia didn’t hang up the spikes for long as she transitioned into her summer AAU schedule.

"You can't just stop, and think you can do better in the future," says Dalencia. "You have to be consistent."

"Dalencia's putting in the time in the summer when a lot of kids aren't, and it's not right or wrong, good or bad, it's just that she has elected to want to do that and work hard, as a reward, you go to the nationals" said Lawson.

Specializing in the 200 and 400 meter sprints, Dalencia has qualified for her second straight AAU Junior Olympics and is looking forward to the competition it will bring.

"You're competing against the best of the best, and so it puts you in what you're ranked, so you can see what you're ranked and I think that's really helpful" said Dalencia.

Lawson saying, "really what's important is toeing the line with some of the best in the country, because if you can go and compete against the best, not only in high school, but in these AAU events, that just strengthens your mental part of it."

As she lines up against some of the best high school athletes around, Dalencia will have a preview of her future, with her coach saying that this is just the start of her journey.

"You know there's always athletes that stand out and Dalencia's one of those that I think the sky's the limit," said Lawson. "She's got a lot of years after high school to really really do well"

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