GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -
Brittney Reese's leap to Olympic glory was all the buzz at Gulfport High Thursday. Her amazing accomplishment is especially inspiring for one Gulfport teenager.
Even before Reese captured the gold in London, she was admired by so many young athletes who aspired to be the best in the world. One young lady shares Reese's dream of being Gulfport's next golden girl.
"I literally held my breath," said Brittanee Wallace as she described the moment her idol made the long jumps at the London Olympic Games.
Now that Brittney Reese has captured the gold, running on the track at Gulfport High School will never be the same for the 17-year-old Wallace.
"I'm just thinking I'm a little girl from Gulfport. I'll never make it. But she did it and I'm here training on the same track as her. I just hope to pursue the same things that she's accomplished," said Wallace.
Brittanee has won her share of medals and ribbons for her accomplishments as a track athlete. Her specialty is hurdling.
Two weeks ago, Brittanee even qualified for the 400-meter hurdles at the Junior Olympics in Texas. But right before the event, Brittanee fractured her shin during practice.
"I mean, it's the Olympics for people under the age of 18. It's a huge honor. I wasn't able to medal, but I was able to go and I ran injured, and I was able to finish."
The teen credits her determination to Brittney Reese. Reese often visited with the track team at Gulfport High and even worked-out there.
"Even back then, she hadn't won the gold yet, but we're still like, 'Oh my God, Brittney Reese!'" Wallace remembered.
She said the Olympian even inspired her to start triple jumping this year. Now, Brittanee longs to follow in the footsteps of Reese, who has blazed a trail from Gulfport High to Olympic gold.
"All I can do is dream about it right now. Now that it's a reality for her, makes me just feel like man, maybe one day, that could be me," said Wallace. "As Brittney showed, hard work pays off. So I'm just going to keep working hard. I have a long, long way to go, but she just made it seem like it's a little bit closer. So it means a lot."
Brittanee Wallace plans to attend Ole Miss, join the school's track team, and pursue her Olympic dream, just like her idol.
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Brittanee Wallace plans to attend Ole Miss, join the school's track team, and pursue her Olympic dream, just like her idol, Olympic gold medalist Brittney Reese..
