From the playing fields of Coal Ridge High School to the prestigious grounds of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, CDT Mikayla Cheney ’27 has made an indelible mark on the track, breaking the school mile record at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational on January 26. Her time of 4:44.94 set a new benchmark, a feat she accomplished in only her third collegiate mile race. The previous record was set in 2022 with a time of 4:45.99.
Cheney, a 2023 Coal Ridge graduate, was a multi-sport athlete in high school, excelling in volleyball, track and field, soccer, and cross country. She brought her diverse athletic prowess to West Point, where she has quickly adapted to focusing solely on running. Cheney’s plebe season indoors was nothing short of successful, with top-five finishes in two events at the Patriot League Indoor Championships, and first place finishes in the mile and 1000-meter dash at the Navy vs. Army Star Meet on February 3.
“The mile is currently my most competitive race,” Cheney said. Her background in various sports meant her mileage training wasn’t as extensive as some teammates’, but the transition to Army West Point Track & Field and Cross Country was inevitable. “We incorporated speed-based workouts similar to my high school training, which I feel has really impacted my performance.”
Excerpt and image taken from https://www.postindependent.com.
