Lloyd signs athletic scholarship to UNC-Charlotte – The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald

AHOSKIE – Member of the Hertford County High School 4×100-meter relay team and signed an athletic scholarship to UNC-Charlotte.

Jada Lloyd committed to the university after signing a scholarship last week.

On May 17, Lloyd joined teammates Cashmere Cooper, Jamiyah Valentine and Gabby Hayes in completing the course at NC A&T State University in Greensboro in 49.34 seconds to earn the gold medal at the 2024 NCHSAA Class 2A State Finals.

In addition to the relay gold medal, Lloyd won two individual medals, winning silver (2nd).^II th place) in the girls’ 100-meter run (12.36 s) and bronze (3rd).^R&D place) in the 400-meter run (58.23 seconds). She took fourth place in the 200-meter race with a time of 25.75 seconds.

Originally from Jamaica, Lloyd said she began running competitively at the age of four and continued this endeavor while attending school in Montego Bay.

In 2021 she moved to County Hertford with her family. Lloyd stated that she did not know much about the county before arriving.

“I knew the high school here had a track team, so that made me really happy,” she said.

After overcoming the culture shock of moving from a tourist destination in the Caribbean to rural northeastern North Carolina, Lloyd said her next challenge would be overcoming shyness that was “self-inflicted” due to her strong accent.

“I was very calm at first until I got used to the lifestyle here,” Lloyd said. “The people here were very welcoming, and I was able to make friends along the way.”

Lloyd says the 100-meter dash is her strongest suit. However, she also likes the 400-meter run – an event that she added to her repertoire last March.

“The 400-meter race is more strategic,” she emphasized. “Running such a distance requires patience and endurance.”

As for the gold medal she and her HCHS teammates won in the state finals, Lloyd said it was a really big surprise.

“We went into the state finals knowing we were going to win,” she said, noting the positive attitude was because she and her teammates had something to prove after finishing second at the same competition last year. “We’re glad we made it through this year.”

Lloyd is looking forward to the new challenges he will encounter at the college level of competition.

“I’m very, very excited,” she smiled. “It’s a great opportunity. Not only can I go to college and do something I’ve loved since I was four, but I can get a lower price because of my athletic talent.

At UNC-Charlotte, Lloyd plans to major in health sciences with a minor in psychology.

Outside of studies, Lloyd dreams of competing in the Olympics.

“I would like this to happen; I would really like to represent my country,” she said.

HCHS girls track and field coach Ben Anthony expressed joy at seeing one of his student-athletes advance to the next level.

“Not only is she a talented runner, but she is also a great student,” Anthony noted. “Having colleges recognize the talent we have here in Hertford County is a tribute to our overall girls’ curriculum.

“The UNC-Charlotte staff really likes Jada and her work ethic,” Anthony added. “She’s good at speed events, so I can see her doing well at collegiate level competitions.”

The coach said his athletics program is growing.

“This year, on the first day of rehearsals, I had 72 girls,” he recalls. “I had to make three cuts to get the team down to about 30 players.

“It’s because of student-athletes like Jada that we’ve had success over the years. She and others have set the bar high for others in our program to match or exceed in the years to come,” Anthony concluded.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, is an editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publisher of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index and Front Porch Living magazines.

More by Cal