Mesa Ridge senior Rose sprinting to new heights

Kadeshia Rose is preparing for the race of her career.

The Mesa Ridge senior-to-be and others from the Speed Track and Field team are headed to Sacramento, Calif., to compete in this week’s Junior Olympics.

Rose has been running track since her mom, who is her biggest influence, introduced her to the sport.

“She ran track and I thought it’d make me look cool if I ran track, too,” Rose said.
Her family serves as her biggest advocate, coming out to show support for the reigning state champion.

“They all come around and help me,” Rose said.

Rose has a lot more to show for this year in addition to her trip to nationals. At the Colorado Springs Metro League championships, Rose took first in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. At the 4A state meet this spring, Rose took first in the 100 and 200.

Rose, who hopes to continue her career in college, is proud of her accomplishments this year, but being fastest in the 100 was the best.

“The 100 was a big accomplishment to me, being first in Colorado for the 100 was great for me, because that’s like a super-hard race.”

But the 200 is her favorite.

“I really do not know why,” she said. “It’s not the 100. With the 100, you’ve got to run at top speed and hope you get there before everyone else. This one, you have more make-up speed.”

The team is very important to not only Rose, but all the runners for Speed.

“Kadeshia’s really caring and very thoughtful,” said teammate and Lewis-Palmer graduate Kobi Rex, a decathlete on his way to Harvard in the fall. “She’s a really nice person and I’m glad she’s on the team this year.”

Called “a breath of fresh air” by coach Charmas Lee, Rose hasn’t been tainted by big-time competition. With this being her first trip to the Junior Olympics, Lee hopes that she can use her “tremendous talent” and “different level of threat” in the 200 and 400 and help Speed to bring home a championship.

The team begins competition at the Junior Olympics today.

As for Rose, she’s taking this trip to nationals in stride.

“I’m just hoping I come out there and do my best.”

AREA JUNIOR OLYMPIANS

Speed Track and Field
• Kobi Rex: decathlon
• Kadeshia Rose: 200, 400
• Icenia Anderson: 100, 200
• Laura Yarrow: 400 hurdles, 800
• Jordan Hare: steeplechase

Fast Traxx Troupe
• Chris Sterling: 400 hurdles
• Chelsie Horton: 400 hurdles, 400
• Tony Carodine: long jump, triple jump

Colorado Springs Striders Track and Field Club
• Ginasia Hamilton: 200, 400
• Eddison Mason: 200
• Tiffany Kenney: heptathlon, long jump (unattached)

Colorado Springs Gold Rush
Lilliana Hamilton: 1,500 (qualified, will not attend)