In her first season at Grambling State, freshman sprinter Javonda Newbold has already started to make a name for herself and has instantly become a force in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The 5’3 Newbold has been one of the highlights for the GSU track program this season. She was born on Feb. 15, 1989 in Cobb County, Ga.
After watching her older brother run track, she decided to follow in his footsteps and do the same. He had no idea that it would pay off major dividends for her in the long run.
In high school at McEachern High in Powder Springs, Ga., she was one of four members of a 4×100 relay that in 2005 set a school record with a time of 46.66 seconds.
Thanks to her dedication and hard work, colleges such as North Carolina A&M, Florida State and University of Alabama-Birmingham came calling for her services. But she chose to attend Grambling.
“Grambling was the right place for me,” Newbold said.
During her upbringing in Georgia, she credits mother Jessie Newbold and grandmother Sarahi Williams for being her role models and keeping her on the right track.
This season Newbold got off to a fast start in her first meet at McNeese State, where she ran 7.44 seconds in the 55 meter dash.
This season, her best times are 25.34 seconds in the 200, 57.19 seconds in the 400 meters, 7.43 seconds in the 55 meters and 12.19 seconds in the 100 meters.
After her collegiate career, she would like to go pro and run in the Olympics, preferably, the 200 meters. Another plan that she has is that she wants earn her degree and start a career as an accountant.
Up to this point she has been the best player on a team full of veterans. She is expected to break many records by the time she leaves Grambling. She is only a freshman, and the best is still to come.