Athlete of the Week: Aubrey Wynn, Ocoee High track and field

As a freshman on the Ocoee High track-and-field team, Aubrey Wynn broke records. In the FHSAA Class 4A District 4 meet, she recorded a time of 1:09.50 in the 400-meter hurdles to break the school’s record and place third in the district meet. She went on to become a state qualifier as an alternate, but most recently she made it to the Under Armor Nationals meet Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31. 

Wynn was expected to have her debut at a national meet, but unfortunately, she twisted her ankle the night before and was unable to compete. However, Wynn has showcased that she is a promising rising competitor and she will continue on the road to recovery to continue to grow through the summer and onto the next high school season. 

What do you enjoy most about track and field?

What I enjoy most about track and field are my teammates who support me through everything and getting to show all of my hard work on the track at track meets.

When did you start track and field, and why did you join? 

I started track and field in sixth grade when I was 12, and I joined because I’d always wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps of running track.

What is your best memory in track and field?

My best memory in track and field is when my teammate told me that I had broken the school record in 400-meter hurdles, an event that I had just learned how to do and (had only run) twice.

What has track and field taught you?

Track and field has taught me that growth isn’t perfect. There will always be ups and downs, but no matter what, you must keep going.

What advice would you give someone who just joined track and field? 

A piece of advice that I would give to someone who is new to track and field is that it is a very mental sport, so no matter what it is you’re running, do not let your emotions control you and always put in the work — even when you don’t have the motivation.

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team?  

Progress starts at practice. If you aren’t pushing at practice, then there won’t be improvement. If you want to achieve these big goals, then you must get out of your comfort zone, because it is not easy and it takes a lot of hard work.

What is your pre-meet ritual?

I always listen to worship music and pray, because it is all in God’s hands from the time I step onto that track to the time I step off.

If you could pick a different sport, what would it be? 

If I could pick a different sport, it would probably be competitive cheer, because I have done that my whole life. … There is still a part of me that misses it, but I am very happy that I chose track and field.

Who do you look up to the most?

I look up to Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone because it is so cool to me that I run similar events to her. She is somebody that I want to be like — and not just on the track but overall as a person.

What is something new you’d like to learn?

I would like to learn how to do 100-meter hurdles because I feel confident that I have a chance to succeed in this race.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida? 

I would want to live in Hawaii, because it is so gorgeous, and I just think that it would be so cool.

What is your favorite holiday memory?

My favorite holiday memory is on Christmas when we would drive for 13 hours to get to Ohio where my grandparents live. Road trips are just such a good time to have a better connection with my family and myself.

What future career do you want to have?

I want to be a professional athlete in track and field. I also want to become an athletic trainer after my pro-athlete years are over.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose? 

I would choose a panther because they are really fast and fierce but also beautiful.

What jersey number would you pick and why?

I would pick the number six as my jersey number because that’s when my track career started.