After moving nine times in her life, sophomore cross country runner Kaia Hampton has made the University of Tampa her home.
Before her life as a Spartan, Hampton ran cross country and track at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, Ga. before transferring to Lawton Chiles High School in Tallahassee for her junior and senior year.
Born into a running family, Hampton knew as a young kid that running was something that she loved to do.
“I was one of those kids who got shoved into everything, and running was the best thing I was good at,” Hampton said.
Running has always been a hobby and sport for Hampton and her family.
“One of those things we all did as a family was run, it’s been great to me and my family,” she said.
One of her biggest influences and mentors for running is her sister Maria, who ran Track and Field for Georgia Tech (2004-2008).
Maria is married to Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters.
Hampton started to realize her skills were above the average runner when she attended middle school in Westpoint, NY. After going to Nationals for multiple years since fifth grade, her talents were apparent.
Running as a kid started to become an everyday enjoyment and a future college commitment for Hampton.
The Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year in 2009 came to Tampa to run competitively at the collegiate level.
A goal for Hampton and her parents was to pick a college with an amazing and experienced coach.
Hampton did just that. Knowing Coach Slaven was the coach made the decision to enroll at UT easy.
“He’s a University of Florida running legend. He also made me feel comfortable here, and running for a phenomenal coach helped me pick UT,” said Hampton.
Hampton is a Biology major, which can be difficult to balance school work and her cross country commitment.
“Trying to study and get my work done in time is hard, especially knowing I have to get up at 6 a.m. everyday for practice,” she said.
Her full plate proved to be a success last season.
Hampton was named the SSC Freshman of the year in 2009 after placing three top-10 finishes and making the SSC all-tournament team.
“I was very surprised; I haven’t won anything like that before. I was extremely humbled and honored,” Hampton said.
As Hampton won the award, her track and field season at UT turned to the wrong direction. She had sinusitis which would eventually lead to another problem.
Hampton had her tonsils taken out this summer and underwent tonsil surgery. Hampton is still healing because it takes 6-8 months to fully recover from surgery, but she is back and running this semester.
Since returning, Hampton has done very well in 2010. Last week, she recorded her personal best time, 18:35, at the University of Florida Invite finishing the race in 20th out of the 208-runner 5k race.
Hampton also finished fourth at the Florida Tech Invite on Sept. 11.
UT’s is a completely new team this year.
“We lost a lot of seniors, and we have eight new freshman girls. One of our best runners, Jess Butler, has been hurt but we are staying strong as a team and constantly encouraging each other. It is good competition of team unity,” said Hampton.
Hampton also stated that they have a really close team this year, and believe that the outcomes of the upcoming races will be a success.
Success is a big role in a runner’s attitude, and how you get there sometimes goes unnoticed.
“We go through a lot of pain and sweat together, but the hard work will pay off in the end,” Hampton said.
Hampton believes running is a unique sport because you get both the personal and team satisfaction all in one.
“It is a big individual sport, but on the other hand, you must work hard together to do well as a team,” she said.
As Hampton believes in her talents and her team, her teammate Heather Nicolosi believes Hampton is a big part of their squad.
“She works very hard and wants to get better every race. Kaia is a very crucial part of our team because we need strong girls up front to score, and she does just that,” stated Nicolosi.
As her teammates have confidence in Hampton, Coach Slaven enjoys her talents and personality.
“Kaia is young but already one of our leaders. She continuously runs with confidence starting in practices and ending in the races,” Slaven said.
As the Spartans have completed three races, the team now starts to prepare for the Lehigh, Pa. Invitational.
The Invitational is a 6k race, longer than any other race the Spartan women have ran this year.
“It’s only a little longer of a race but it is still a mental block. We only have three girls on the team who have actually ever run a 6k,” said Hampton.
Other runners who have run a 6k on the team are Katie O’Brien and Heather Nicolosi. Hampton also looks for a personal-best time like usual and finds the race great competition and preparation for regionals and nationals.
As Hampton keeps up her impressive performance as an individual and a runner, UT can get used to Hampton for two more years of talent and grace.
When it comes to life and running for Hampton, she referenced the famous “Rocky” quote.
“It’s not how hard you get hit, it’s how hard you get hit and keep going.”
Michael Paonessa can be reached at mpaonessa@spartans.ut.edu.