ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Nathalya McMillion

Ocoee High senior Nathalya McMillion is on fire lately. She won the 100- and 200-meter sprints at the Metro Conference Championships in Winter Park April 6, pushing her onward to the district meet.

Additionally, McMillion has just signed for a full-ride scholarship to run track and field at Alcorn State University in Mississippi.

What was running through your mind when you crossed the finish line at Metros?

“I just won Metros, oh snap!” I was like, “Wow, I just got first,” and everybody was congratulating me, so it was really fun.

How did you first get involved in track and field?

My brothers ran track first and I didn’t really run track, my mom was more putting me in ballet and the girly stuff. After that I realized — because I have two older brothers and I run with them — it was just being with them that made me quick and chasing after them. I started running when I was in sixth grade.

What do you love most about sprinting?

It’s quick! I’m not out there for a long time or long distance, I give all props to them (distance runners) because I can’t do that. But sprinting is just short, quick, and I’m out of there.

What are your plans at Alcorn State?

I’m majoring in athletic training and sports administration. ... I was always around sports, so I joined the athletic training club here, and that’s what really inspired me to go toward what I really wanted to do.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Probably the best advice is from my pastor: Do what you can do best and trust in God. That’s all you can do, just give it all to God and be great.

What are some songs that get you pumped up and ready to run?

“Girl On Fire” by Alicia Keys, and I have this new song I listen to called “Gospel” by Kodak Black. 

What is your favorite Disney character or movie?

Beauty and the Beast! I like Belle because she had the smarts and didn’t settle for what was coming at her, she wanted more than the average, and Beast because he had to push through what all his struggles (were) and come out as his true self.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I want to go to Italy. I just think their culture is amazing. Their food is obviously bomb — I’m a foodie, I love food — so I want to go and eat and experience new things. If I could just travel the world that would be great, and hopefully with running I can do that.