Sports Spotlight - Windermere Observer: Kenya Dillon

Olympia High girls track standout Kenya Dillon entered the FHSAA Track & Field Championships May 5 and 6 as the top-ranked 100-meter hurdler in the state — and she delivered. Dillon won an individual state championship with a time of 14.34 seconds. The highlight closes Dillon’s varsity career. She will continue her career as a collegiate athlete at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

What was it like to win a state championship?

I felt amazing. The best part was when I finished the race, got on top of the podium and saw everybody looking at me.

Besides your teammates and coach Jason Greer, who was there to cheer you on? 

My mom and my brother (Houston Texans safety K.J. Dillon). It was good to have them there — especially my brother, because he came all the way from Texas for that one day, and he didn’t have to.

In addition to being a football star in high school, your brother also ran track. Did he have any advice for you before your race?

He just yelled at me and told me to get my behind on that track and run.

What is the best advice you have received from coach Jason Greer?

He would tell me, “Don’t give up and don’t doubt yourself.”

What do you think you had to improve on to become a state champion?

I had to believe and get my attitude right.

Is there a runner — collegiate or professional — you admire?

Brianna Rollins, because she went to Clemson, and she came from a small town, too. She just makes me want to go out here and run.

Of all the senior year staples, which did you look forward to/enjoy the most?

Senior walk-out. It was lit — it was fun. The shaving cream and everything.

What are you looking forward to about the summer?

Training more and having fun, also.

What do you think you’d like to do for a career after college?

I’d like to work in investments. Opening up business and then investing in other companies.

We hear you’re a bit of an entrepreneur. Can you tell us about that?

I sell mink lashes and iPhone cases. My friend Gigi (Tirone) also sells hair, bathing suit pouches and other stuff. I’m around positive people who do the same things that I do, so it motivates me more to want to pursue more.