Haye wants to wear national colours

The dream of all young athletes is to represent their country, and Yanique Haye is looking towards that day.

The fifth-form St. Jago student has made it clear that she has a good chance of archieving her goal this season.

"I hope to represent Jamaica," the 16-year-old Haye told Inside Track.

As for her chances, Haye said, "it's good because I am really concentrating on the 400m and 400m hurdles."

But she continued: "It's going to be very challenging, because a lot of athletes from other schools are doing the 400m," she said of her pet event.

Holmwood's Bobbie-Gaye Wilkins, Vere Technical's Kayann Robinson, St. Andrew High's Latoya McDermott and Manchester High's Shana-Gaye Tracey are some of the athletes Haye identified, and these are national representatives.

She is aware of what it will take to be apart of Jamaica's Carifta Games, Junior Pan Am or World Youth squads.

"I have to train harder and believe in myself ... I have a good coach in Raymond 'KC' Graham, who has always motivated me ... So I know I can do it," said the girl who will compete in the Under-20 category at the Carifta Trials.

injury

At Champs 2006, Haye was prevented from showing her true potential as injury kept her from reaching both the 400m and 800m finals.

But come March 28-31 at Champs, she will, barring injury, be focused on a medal. "I would like to come in the top three of the Class Two 400m," she said.

"It's not going to be easy, but I will be working my way into that position ... and I know I will achieve what I want," said Haye, who has a personal best of 56 seconds.

Haye, who sees herself as a professional athlete or a policewoman in 10 years' time, started her track and field career at St. Benedict's Primary.

The highlight of her primary school career was winning the 800m and placing third in the 400m in 2002.

She sees herself as a hard worker. One who trains hard, studies hard and always tries to do her best at all times.

Her favourite subjects are social studies and English, while That's So Raven is her favourite television series, and stew peas is her preferred dish. Her favourite colour is blue.