In Arima, Trinidad, the temperature was 86 degrees compared to43 degrees in Memphis on Wednesday.
Lady Tiger sprinter Keenan Gibson, who hales from Arima, said ittakes some time getting use to the cold temperatures of the BluffCity while training for the 100m and 200m.
"I'm adjusting pretty well so far," Gibson said.
Growing up in the tropical climate of Trinidad, Gibson looked toher mother as a role model.
"(My mom) has worked very hard to make sure that I hadeverything that I needed," Gibson said. "I always have tried tomodel myself after her because she is also very spiritual."
Women's track head coach Brenda Cash said it is evident Gibsonhas taken after her mother morally and with her work ethic.
"I think (Gibson) is a great person," Cash said. "She's veryconscientious about her training."
The St. James Government School graduate chose to come toMemphis on a scholarship on the advice of her former coach.
"My coach always told me that schools in the South mostlyproduce better athletes," Gibson said.
Track is a very big sport where Gibson comes from.
"It's a big thing," Gibson said. "We have clubs back home thatfrom probably eight or nine years old, kids get involved inrunning."
As far as adjusting to Memphis as a city, Gibson said she hasnot come full circle.
"I am still adjusting to the food and it's a differentenvironment altogether," Gibson said. "The people are different andthey speak different."
The variety of origins of her teammates has helped Gibson makethe change to her environment.
"I'm still adjusting because we have people from differentcultures on the team," she said. "I'm learning every day --something new."
Adapting to the environment may be hard, but adjusting to theconstantly changing Memphis weather may be more difficult for anathlete.
"It's hard because it's hot for the entire year [at home],"Gibson said. "The coldest it gets is 65 degrees, and that's cold tome, but I'm doing pretty well so far."
Gibson, who is a senior public relations major, is concentratingon her grades as well as her running.
"Academically-wise I'm trying to keep that G.P.A. up," shesaid.
But Gibson is used to hard work. She would travel an hour and ahalf to and from St. James every day in addition to training.
"It's not a problem for me because I've been doing it since inhigh school back home," she said.
However, she doesn't feel she has achieved as much as shecould.
"I can see myself actually being better than I've been doing,"Gibson said. "I don't think I've achieved anything yet, but I'mhoping to, if not this year than next year."
Cash said Gibson conveys much more to the team than winning.
"I think she brings maturity and a work ethic (to the team), butshe's also a lot of fun," Cash said. "She's been a good role modelfor the girls and she's always improving."
For now, Gibson is working towards qualifying for the regionalsof the NCAA.
"I am almost there in both events, but I need my time to be muchbetter than what I am doing now to say that I feel. I can be at theNCAA," Gibson said.
Gibson is well on her way toward qualifying for the NCAA withher start in the outdoor season so far. Three weeks ago, Gibson wonthe 200m dash and finished second in the 100m at the Baldy CastilloInvitational.
A week later, she won the 200m dash at the Big Cat Classic. Thispast weekend Gibson pulled off a double victory in the 100 and 200mevents at the SEMO Gatorade Classic.
This weekend, the women of The University of Memphis Track teamwill travel to Macomb, Ill., to the Lee Calhoun Memorial.
"I think I am in better shape than I was at this time lastyear," Gibson said. "But I think it might be too cold for me to runto the best of my ability."
Cash said she too is worried about the temperature affecting allthe athletes.
"We just need some nice weather," Cash said. "I think that theywill have a really good meet. Everyone is mentally prepared and aslong as I can keep them prepared mentally, they will do well."
