Athlete of the Week: Erika Voyzey

By Zack Webster, Editor in Chief|June 1, 2016

Tammy Wills

Erika flies over the bar at States

Name: Erika Voyzey

Sport: Track

Grade: 12

Accomplishments:

With a jump of 5’7″ Erika won her third consecutive PIAA AA High Jump Championship at the State Track and Field Championships last Friday.  She becomes the only three time PIAA Champion in Tyrone High School history.  Next year she will attend the University of Miami in Miami, Florida.   

Coach Chris Shedd’s quote: 

“I’m thoroughly amazed by Erika’s ability to rise to the occasion no matter what. The weather has been in constant flux this spring. It was cold and raining at the Penn Relays. It was the first very hot day of the season at States, AND she had been having a stomach flu. Same result: Gold! Her competitors at States seemed to be right on track to present her with a challenge; succeeding at each new height. Then Erika entered the mix at 5’2” and cleared the bar by a mile. She was clean through the first four heights while the field thinned and then she was all by herself.

I think the emotion of it being her last high school meet and the thrill of the gold being in the bag may have affected the next few attempts, but I’m glad that she was enjoying the moment, and we have been honored to have her on our team these past four years! I look forward to watching her from afar the next few years. Best of luck, Erika!”

EE: How did you first get involved in this sport?

We always had track and field days when I was younger. When 7th grade rolled around, I decided to give track a whirl. I’ve now been participating in it for 6 years.

EE: What other sport(s) do you play?

Tennis

EE: Favorite professional sports team?

USA Olympic Track Team

EE: Favorite professional athlete?

Chaunte Lowe

EE: Who is your hero? Why?

I don’t really have any.

EE: Favorite band/musician?

I like way too much music to pick a favorite band or musician.

EE: Favorite movie?

Iron Man III

EE: Favorite food?

Spaghetti or fried chicken with honey mustard

EE: What advice would you give younger athletes?

Fall in love with the process. You won’t compete everyday. It comes down to how hard you practice and how hard you motivate yourself. You have to love what you do to compete well… and once you’re hooked, there’s no going back.

EE: What are your future goals?

I am attending the University of Miami with my dream major and track team. Right now, I’m focused on loving my life as a student-athlete and hopefully it ends up with a ticket to the Olympic Trials.