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Sports

Floyd overcomes life-changing hurdles

After being injured in a car wreck that killed her sister, sprinter returns with new cheerleader on sidelines 

by LOURDES CASTILLO
The Daily Cougar

UH junior sprinter Ebonie Floyd was on top of the world her freshman year, earning the 2003 Conference USA Freshman of the Year award and advancing to the NCAA 400-meter semifinals. 

Floyd's world, however, was about to be shattered.

In 2004, Floyd was in a car accident that fractured her foot and injured other muscles. 

"My leg felt like JELLO," Floyd said. "I couldn't move my toes for a month. I was so strong before the accident, and then it looked a mess."

But the injuries Floyd suffered were nothing compared the real tragedy of the accident -- the death of her younger sister. 

"It was a pretty rough time for me and my whole family," she said. "I just thank God that I was able to keep going to school, because I don't know what I would be doing. I always knew I would run again, it was just a matter of being in an environment where I could see some progress."

Floyd sat out the indoor and outdoor 2004 season with a redshirt in order to recuperate from her injury. She hoped to return to track in 2005, but fate once again changed Floyd's plans.

"When I got pregnant, I was like, ‘Oh, Lord, I'm really messing up. They already gave me a year off for being hurt and now I'm pregnant,'" Floyd said. "That was really hard to tell the coach that I was pregnant, but I had a lot of support and he told me I was going to be back and be good again."

Floyd sat out the indoor and outdoor 2005 season as well, hoping the following year would allow her to make her much anticipated return.

"It's been a constant journey and a tough battle," the 24-year-old said. "My freshman year I did so well and I thought I was going to come back my sophomore year and build upon that.

"I had to take two years off, and I feel like I'm trying to catch up for those two years I lost, but at the same time I think by taking those two years off, it's made me a lot stronger."

Floyd returned to the active roster and had a successful 2006 season. 

"I feel proud," she said. "I am a determined person, so it just makes me happy I'm doing well. I always knew that I could do it, but it's good to prove to others that I was able to do it. 

"I've constantly proven people wrong, because they ask ‘Who is she?' and then they remember I was competing my freshman year."

During the 2006 indoor season, Floyd was the C-USA champion in the 200-meter competition with a time of 24.07 seconds. She also ran the anchor leg on UH's relay team, which finished in eighth place and set a school record with a time of 3:32.28 at the NCAA Championships. 

Floyd said she draws inspiration from her family.

"I picture my sister in heaven looking at me and pushing me," Floyd said. "I miss her so much. My son is also a motivation. I have two big cheerleaders -- one that no one can see, but I know she's there."

Floyd believes everything happens for a reason. As a freshman, Floyd was nervous before each meet. Now she enjoys every second of it. 

"I have to keep reminding myself that nothing is promised," Floyd said. "I don't take anything for granted anymore. Every time I get on the track, I think it could be my last time, so I give it 110 percent.

"I just try to have fun because if I don't then I will go crazy. Sometimes my son, who is only 2 years old, will be screaming and I will get a little frustrated, but that day might be my last, so I just try to live it up."

Floyd became more disciplined after her son was born.

"It's not just me anymore," Floyd said. "I have a husband and a son that I need to take care of."

This season she set an NCAA qualifying mark after she won the 60 meters with a time of 7.28 at the Arkansas Invitational on Jan 13. 

Floyd will graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in psychology. After college, she hopes to sign a contract with Nike or Adidas and begin her training to compete in the Olympics.

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