Michael Wade
2024 UAB Vulcan Invite - January 13, 2024
By Emily Henderson
“I credit my parents and Hoover High School coaches. They put me in a position to thrive.”
Success is not an unfamiliar feeling for the Hoover native and University of Alabama at Birmingham’s rising track star Gabby Washington. With her name already in the record books, Washington holds the 200m freshman indoor record and 300m indoor school record.
What was once a fun social event in middle school is now a daily discipline as Washington contributes to UAB’s Division I track program. “I run now because I love it.” She jokes that training is tedious and hard to love, but the success of winning makes it all worthwhile. “Now winning, that’s the fun part!”
Before setting college records, Washington helped lead Hoover High School to a women’s indoor track championship last year, while also reaching the first-place podium in each of her events. When looking back, Washington says that first-place moment with her team is what every athlete dreams of.
Washington’s dreams have only continued since joining the Blazers. “I love being close to home and getting to be a Division I athlete with the education I want. I just love it here!” exclaims Washington. With eyes set on beating her 400m time of 54.9 seconds next, Washington is also focused on her biomedical sciences degree with hopes of pursuing pharmacy.
With her first collegiate outdoor season behind her, Washington is eager to make the most of her preparations for a new season. “I don’t necessarily feel pressure, but I do have an internal motivation to see how well I can do and then build on it.”
Like speed, building and creating a successful team environment does not happen by accident. Washington credits her coaches for giving her the freedom to have fun with it and run your race. Washington says it is not about managing how other people run but focusing on her efforts and simply racing the clock.
When asked about her role models, Washington quickly lists names of her own teammates who continually inspire her and bring up the energy. She credits those teammates as “mood boosters” who are a constant reminder to give 110% every day.
Giving her best efforts daily is not new for Washington: “I try to motivate others with my actions and think positive. We get the chance to be out here and run for our school.” Washington says it is crucial to understand that running for UAB is not just an opportunity; it’s a privilege.
Washington’s attitude of gratitude has surely played a role in her early success but says “I never would have thought I’d be doing all this. I keep getting pleasantly surprised.”
Her record-breaking accolades may be a personal shock, but Washington’s teammates would describe her as peppy, focused, and fast. Those three words can easily be seen as center principles to Washington’s life on and off the track.
Washington will don the Blazer green and gold for another three years and hopes her freshman year records will motivate her and others: “It takes a lot of discipline, but it is so worth it. That discipline will carry you the rest of your life.”