Being a highly touted star can be a lot for any athlete to handle. With constant prodding from coaches, trainers and meddling media types, the stress of the daily grind can render even the most seasoned athlete into a quivering heap of jaded bitterness.
The rare athlete that learns to take it all in stride usually does so by approaching the profession from an angle of childlike innocence; just a young soul happy to be recognized for playing a sport they love. Of course, it helps to actually be a young soul.
Claudia Francis started running when she was seven. Although not especially drawn to it at first, the concept of running against opposing students quickly became fertile ground for her competitive seeds to grow.
“At my first race after I turned nine, I started to feel like, wow, I really like winning,” said Claudia. “I feel like running has a double benefit of keeping me competitive while also keeping me healthy.”
Her parents, Kim and Andrew, instilled in her a philosophy heavy on time management; making sure Claudia designates a proper amount of time for school work, while also giving her training the required attention.
Doubling as both father and coach, Andrew believes that sports can create a balance within children, making them well-rounded citizens and less susceptible to the constant bombardment of adolescent stress.
“School and the teen years can be very stressful to young people. Adding sports to the mix can go a long way in aiming all of that energy in a positive direction,” said Andrew. “Plus, idle kids tend to get into more trouble.”
Claudia is anything but idle. The 17-year-old was a track star at Cardozo High School before a disagreement with her coach forced Claudia to quit the team. But that has not stopped her from running as this month Claudia and her sister Phyllis, also an accomplished athlete, are participating in the Colgate Women’s Games. The annual event showcases young female talent in numerous sporting events.
The Games are proving easy pickings for Claudia, dominating the 800 and 1500 meter races. Her sister Phyllis routinely finishes among the leaders in the high jump, and is currently being courted by top universities. And this February will see Claudia compete in the Boston Invitational and the Gibson Relays in Kingston, Jamaica.
One could imagine this globetrotting track star lifestyle leading to an inflated ego. But, as their mother explains, the Francis girls were raised to humbly consider their abilities a gift and to accept all praise graciously, not pompously.
“These are very humble girls, raised to show respect,” said Kim. “You are judged in life just like you are judged in sports.”
In life, Claudia is your typical teenaged girl. She carries a B average, enjoys going to the mall with her friends and still is not set on which college she will attend. Claudia is merely enjoying her age; the stress of such weighty issues as high school algebra and make-or-break track meets are no match for a girl armed with focus and an iPod.
“I really don’t get all stressed out about mixing running with school because I’ve set my schedule in a way that allows me to focus on both,” said Claudia. “But if I do get a little stress, I just listen to some techno or dance music. That gets my adrenaline pumping and helps me believe I can accomplish anything.”
Besides running into the history books, Claudia has dreams of being an orthopedic surgeon. As an athlete, Claudia has gotten to know the inner workings of the human body and she would like to help others avoid and heal their injuries.
This interest with sports beyond the field of play is part of Claudia’s belief that talent alone does not guarantee success. There’s a certain mindset Claudia believes is necessary, not only for success in running, but in all facets of life.
“If you don’t have the mentality for it, you’re not going to succeed,” she said. “You’ve got to practice and push yourself to do your best.”
