Who would’ve imagined that the bubbly freshman from Hope Bay, Portland, Jamaica, who joined the Claflin University track team as a walk-on two years ago would capture the 2016 NCAA Division II 200-metre title?

That’s exactly what happened when rising junior Trisana Fairweather ran an impressive 23.21 seconds en route to a first-place finish in the final of the 200 metres at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Bradenton, Florida. Fairweather also became Claflin’s first-ever NCAA D-II track champion.

Fairweather also picked up a bronze medal after sprinting to a time of 11.51 to finish third in the 100 metres. In addition to the two medals, she earned NCAA Division II Outdoor Track All-American status in both events.

It’s been a productive 2015-16 season for Fairweather, who also earned NCAA D-II All-American honours after placing third in the 200 metres at the 2016 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Fairweather’s dramatic climb from fifth to first in the 200 and from one of a handful of qualifiers to third in the 100 was unexpected to those who did not know her. However, Fairweather was far from satisfied — so she set some new goals for herself for the 2015-16 season.

“I was self-driven to accomplish more this year,” she said. “I knew I could be the next champion for the 200 metres. I held on to my dream like Sean Paul says in his song — Hold On to the Dream. It has a strong inspirational message that I really believe in.”

Fairweather also draws inspiration from another native of Jamaica, Usain Bolt, the world-class sprinter and Olympic champion.

“He [Bolt] is my role model,” said Fairweather. “His performances motivate me to push myself even harder. I remember how he finished second in some of his races in high school before becoming the ‘King of Sprints.’ He is a remarkable athlete,” she added. “I believe that I can be the next 100 and 200-metre champion if I train hard enough, and if I continue to pray and challenge myself.”

Fairweather’s path to the Claflin track team wasn’t that of a highly recruited athlete. It wasn’t until after an interest meeting in the fall of 2014 conducted by head coach Lincoln London and then assistant athletics director (now Associate Athletics Director) Marilyn Stacey-Suggs that introduced Fairweather to Claflin track.

“I sent an e-mail to each student that attended the meeting to thank them for their interest in the track and field programme,” said Stacey-Suggs. “I invited them to come to my office to discuss eligibility issues or to contact coach London for more information competing on the track team. Trisana was in my office the very next day,” she recalled.

“Trisana came to us as a diamond-in-the-rough,” said London. “She had very little experience in track but she has natural athletic ability, a strong work ethic and she is a fast learner. She listens to her coaches and applies what she has learned,” he added. “She works hard in all areas of her life, but she understands that maintaining balance is also important to being successful.”

Fairweather knew she had a future in sports, but not necessarily as a member of a track team.

“From a young age, I was very fond of sports,” said Fairweather. “In high school I played netball, and participating in sports has helped me stay focused on my academics. Track and field was the only sport at Claflin that was familiar to me, so I decided to give it a try.”

Fairweather’s brilliant performances in track are truly impressive. However, her dedication and commitment to excellence are further exemplified in her academic achievements. In her two years at Claflin, Fairweather has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average as an accounting major. During the university’s annual honours and awards convocation held last spring, she received the gold medallion – the highest honour awarded for academic excellence on the President’s Honour List. Additionally, she was named to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) All-Academic Team and Commissioner’s All-Academic Team earlier this summer. She is also the recipient of the Timothy J Autry All-Academic Team gold medallion, which is presented to student-athletes with a grade point average between 3.6-4.0.

“Trisana is the epitome of Panther Pride,” stated London. “She displays confidence, focus and humility on a daily basis. She is grateful for all Claflin has afforded her, academically and athletically.”

Fairweather’s indelible imprint in intercollegiate athletics at Claflin, the SIAC and the NCAA is undeniable. And few would believe she has achieved so much in her brief two-year collegiate track career. Her accolades read like an athlete who has considerably more years of training and competition.

Fairweather was named the Female Athlete of the Year at the Claflin’s annual athletics and awards banquet last spring. She is a two-time SIAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Year (2015, 2016) and in May, Fairweather was named the 2016 US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track & Field South Region Track Athlete of the Year. Also in May, she earned five all-region honours (100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres, and 4×100 and 4×400 metre-relay team).

“My overall goals are to maintain my 4.0 GPA and win national titles in each of my events,” she said before listing several goals which serve as examples of her selfless compassion for others. “I also want to help others with opportunities similar to what I received from Passport to College (PTC), a non-profit organisation that provides support and college placement for students from developing countries that are strong in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) who may otherwise lack the resources to attend college/university. I also plan to be more active on the campus and perhaps join some organisations. And in track, I want to motivate my teammates to become champions in their respective events, so we can be more successful as a team.”

Fairweather has proven she is quite capable of reaching her goals. If the past offers an insight of what to expect in the future – the forecast for Fairweather and the Claflin track programme will be bright with promise.