As athletes gain the confidence that comes with achievements they feel empowered and ready to take on new challenges to make use of all their abilities. Hydel’s Alliah Baker is one such athlete.

Baker, who last year contested the 200m and 400m double, has somewhat left her comfort zone to embrace a new event with increased difficulty at this year’s Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

The 18-year-old is expected to join her Captain Oneika McAnnuff in the grueling 400m and 400m hurdles double, as a means of increasing their chances of topping the March 28 to April 1 championship at the National Stadium.

Though not yet fully accustomed to the obstacle event, Baker believes she has been gradually finding her rhythm and is ready to give of her best when the time comes.

“To be honest, some of my meets haven’t gone how I expected, especially the Central Champs, I was down and wasn’t feeling like myself, but I would say I am now back to my best because I clocked a personal best (57.60s) at Carifta trials, which is a confidence booster as I head into the championships,” Baker told the Jamaica Observer.

“Where the new double is concerned, I am trying to manage it right now. This is my first year doing it, unlike Oneika, who did both events last year. So, for me, I’m trying to manage it as well as her and do my utmost best and then hope to improve on that next year,” she added.

The fact that this is also her first year in Class 1 adds to the difficulty Baker faces, but much like she did last year when she had to dig deep to pull off some decent performances, she believes she can rise to the occasion.

Last year she clocked 24.16s for fifth in the 200m final won by teammate Alana Reid but was third in the 400m in 54.44s.

“I also made the national junior team for the third time, which was really pleasing. So even though I couldn’t compete at the Carifta trials I bounced back to run on a record-breaking team at the Penn Relays. After having a season like that I would say I’ve made it known that I’m a determined athlete who is willing to push the boundaries,” Baker declared.

As a three-time World Under-20 medalist, Baker is aware that the onus is on her and other senior teammates to lay the foundation for their younger counterparts.

“So I’m really looking forward to champs because I’ve been training well. Like I said, there have been ups and downs, but I am now fully focused on the task at hand as I’m really just trying to do my utmost best for myself, my team, and my coaches,” the soft-spoken athlete noted.

“I think my school can do great at the championship, but until we get the results we’re just hoping to make the top four this year. So it is just about doing my best and meeting some expectations,” she ended.