Runs in the family
Senior track star follows in her parents’ footsteps
February 4, 2016
Years after committing herself to track, senior Amber Ivy now finds herself committing to a bigger dream to run at collegiate and professional levels.
Inspired by her mother and father, who both ran track, senior Amber Ivy started running track at 10 years old. Ivy said her passion for track grows each time she wins and does her best in a race.
“Whenever I win, that feeling just keeps me going,” she said. “When multiple people are coming up to me telling me they want me to go to their school, and that I could become a professional, it inspires me to try harder.”
After running at Cypress Christian High School, Ivy said she learned how to run with faith for God and to run for herself.
“Whenever I pray before my races, it gives me a calming feeling,” she said. “It gives me a little advantage against others, because then I’m not freaking out like other people.”
Ivy’s hard work paid off as she recently committed to run track at Texas A&M University.
“[Committing] was really exciting,” she said. “I felt like I really have talent, and I really have what it takes to run with college-level girls, and become pro.”
Although she also visited the University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University, University of Kansas and the University of Houston, Ivy said she felt Texas A&M University was her best choice.
“When I took a visit to A&M it was like home,” she said. “I fell in love with all the people, because they were just so nice. I’m an only child so I didn’t want to go too far. I have a puppy at home that I don’t want to leave.”
Ivy’s parents attended Texas A&M University. Ivy said both her mother and father have played important roles in who she is as a person and an athlete, and her mom is one of her biggest inspirations.
“[My mom] has a record at Texas A&M for long jump, and she tried to make me do long jump, but that didn’t work out,” Ivy said. “She’s always been by my side, and she didn’t get upset when I told her I didn’t want to do long jump. She was just telling me that I can become pro and reach fame.”
