Courtesy of Norfolk State Athletic Communications
One month after arriving back on campus, the women of Norfolk State University's track & field team have returned to practice and are preparing to pick up where they left off last spring after an abrupt end to their 2020 season.
Before the COVID-19 global pandemic caused the cancellation of their spring competition, two of the team's standout athletes, Martha Bissah and Kiara Grant, were in Albuquerque, N.M., where they were set to compete in the NCAA Indoor Championship. Bissah had qualified for the NCAA meet in the 800 meters, and Grant had qualified in both the 60 and 200 meters.
But on the eve of the meet, the two were on the track practicing for the big day when news of the championship's cancellation brought their winning momentum to a screeching halt. Despite the cancellation of the championship, both were still named All-Americans.
After placing second as a team at the MEAC Indoor Championship, the Spartan women were seeking redemption in the outdoor season and had set their sights on the MEAC Outdoor Championship title. Grant and Bissah had hoped to cap their indoor season off in New Mexico, and then carry the momentum into a successful outdoor season. The duo, who were both named All-Americans despite the cancellation of the championship, have since had to adjust their training strategies and mindsets.
"When the outdoor season was cancelled, it was hard because we were in good shape," Bissah said. "We had hoped to win a championship for the outdoor season…but we never gave up."
NSU track & field head coach Kenneth Giles recounted the day that he received word that the remaining competitions had been cancelled.
"I had to break the news to the team and they understood, but we were coming off a lot of momentum. They were very sad."
After the cancellation of their remaining 2020 season, the two Spartans had to shift their focus from execution to preparation.
"I looked at it as a better opportunity to prepare, and I tried not to look at it as a setback," Grant said. "I just looked at it as a time to make more progress moving forward and work on my technique. I was sad, but I was delighted that I had more opportunity to get better."
Amidst the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the outdoor season wasn't the only thing that was delayed for Grant and Bissah. Grant had to delay her return home to Jamaica, and Bissah likewise had to postpone her trip home to Ghana. Without the opportunity to return to their families, the two women utilized the summer to prepare for their next competition season.
Although quarantine posed its challenges, they each found ways to stay mentally and physically prepared.
"You just have to make the best of your resources, so I would just go outside to the field in front of my house where I would just jog and work on my technique," Grant said.
As a senior, Bissah discussed the shift in her mentality after nearly having her last outdoor season taken away from her.
"Things happen for a reason," she said. "I have one more outdoor season and I'm definitely going to work. I'm working so hard towards it, and I want to run as fast as I can."
Bissah and Grant also have significant goals outside of their college track and field careers. Grant has traditionally run some of the fastest sprint times among Jamaican athletes her age, and she will look to make a run at the national team next summer.
Ever since becoming a gold medalist in the 800 meters in the Youth Olympic Games, Bissah's goal has been to return to the Olympic stage. The 2020 Olympics were postponed to next summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"It is hard because every season people run faster. If you really want to get to that level, you really have to work hard," Bissah said. "It is a challenge for me because I have to make a good mark so I can make it to the Olympics. I'm still working hard, and I believe that I will get there."
Now that the team is back on the track at NSU, they are more prepared to reach their goals than ever. Despite COVID-19 health guidelines implemented in practice, the team is making the best of every minute in practice.
"The first weeks are going to be hard because we're just getting back and we have times to make, but we are adjusting and so far we are making our times," Grant said.
The team has had to make modifications in practice by implementing social distancing and sanitizing frequently.
"We've had to adjust," Giles said. "On the track they have to stay six feet apart, so for our huddles we just get in a big circle. We just do the things that we have to do to make sure we don't violate any COVID-19 policies."
Giles shared his expectations for Grant and Bissah as they draw closer to the start of competition in January. Grant is the team's top sprinter, while Bissah is the leading middle and long distance runner.
"Those two young ladies are generational talents. At Norfolk State, you don't just get the Martha Bissah's and Kiara Grant's every year," he said. "They come along once in a while. I believe with those two young ladies, the future is bright for us, and we can compete for a championship."
Despite the ups and downs of the past year, the team is in high spirits and is prepared to do whatever it takes to succeed.
"They understand that this is only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we have to take advantage of it," Giles said.
And as Bissah reiterated, "This pandemic has been a challenge for everyone. But everyone wants to practice, and we know that if we don't follow the guidelines from the university, we won't be able to practice. So everyone is doing a good job following the guidelines. We're still here staying in shape, and we're ready for the next season."