Mikayah Allen, a standout collegiate hurdler, has made a name for herself not just through athletics, but through her unwavering faith and dedication to personal growth. Allen said she wasn’t serious when she first started track due to inconsistent coaching. She practically had to train herself. Now, reflecting on her time as a collegiate athlete, she recalls a pivotal moment during her first 100-meter hurdles race. Competing against Olympian Maasai Russel, Allen realized the importance of focusing on her growth and not comparing herself to others.
“Comparison kills progress and steals joy,” she said. “Ever since then, I haven’t been racing everyone else, but I’ve been racing myself.”
Today, she chooses to root her identity in her faith, and to seek growth rather than doubting herself. Allen still loves track, but her priorities have changed. This season has been the most challenging of her career as she balances competing with preparing to graduate.
Allen’s thoughts on failure have evolved dramatically over time. When she was younger, failure felt devastating and left Allen withdrawn and upset. When she gets trapped in her thoughts, it can feel impossible to escape. She has learned not to let her emotions take control.
“I am a person who cares deeply and feels deeply so finding a balance can be hard,” Allen said. “Also, there is always a struggle of completely surrendering my [track] meet to God and not trying to do it on my own.”
Allen’s identity is rooted in Christ. She knows she can always lean on him when she has failed or didn’t reach her goals.
“I know that how I compete in track has no eternal value whatsoever,” she said. “What really matters is how am I being intentional in those spaces and being obedient to what God wants me to do towards my teammates, in my reactions, in my surrender. All of this regardless of my circumstances. That is what truly matters, and when I think of God’s kingdom and the fact that he chose me to be his servant, I have purpose.”
Being a student-athlete can be a struggle, a blessing and an overall lesson. Allen has realized that throughout her journey here.
“Competition at this level has allowed me to take those moments of failure and fuel my performance and my motivation for wanting to better myself,” Allen said.
When preparing for a race, Allen prepares herself spiritually and mentally. She listens to worship music, asks God to guide her and maintain a calm, focused mindset before stepping foot on the track.
“Track and field is all about the process,” Allen said.
Her progress is measured not just by racing results but by showing up, improving and paying attention to details in practice. Allen said her training shifted from relying on natural talent to focusing on technical precision, especially in hurdling.
“That shift didn’t come from victory. It came from being humbled,” Allen said.
Allen’s mindset now is focused more on her approach. Before, she once tied her identity to her performance on the track. But she learned to separate that from who she is.
“Those moments fuel me,” Allen said. “I don’t find my identity in track anymore.”
Her faith is what truly anchors her. Allen avoids overthinking, talks to teammates, prays and seeks peace rather than understanding.
Leadership for Allen isn’t about results, it’s about impact. She invests in teammates, offers encouragement, builds connections and creates a sense of unity. Even in a sport defined by individual results, she now focuses more on connection.
Friend Timmia King describes Allen as a light. According to King, Allen’s spirit is infectious, and she lights up every room she walks in.
“Allen is the same on and off the track,” King said.
King said she’s inspired and encouraged by Allen’s work ethic, boundaries and organization in all parts of her life.
“She honors the Lord with everything she does and that never changes, whether she’s practicing, doing weights or competing,” King said.
The aspects of Allen’s character are visible with how she balances her life through athletics, family, her relationship, friendships, and her faith, according to King.
“MK will not do something if God suggests otherwise, so I know that she is being led and used by the Holy Spirit,” she said.
According to King, Allen is the embodiment of Bible verse John 4:18, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” King said Allen personifies that in her daily walk and how she lives and supports the community around her.
Teammate Dasia Garland says what stands out most about Allen isn’t just what she does in competition, but who she is away from it.
“Mikayah outside of track is very Christian-driven and one of the sweetest people I’ve ever encountered,” Garland said. “She’s always a listening ear, never judges, always knows the best things to say whenever you are dealing with something.”
Garland said Allen’s faith is the foundation of her life and keeps her steady.
“She manages school, track, and personal life with God,” Garland said. “Anytime I’ve seen her in a phase where she would be overwhelmed, she’s always calm because she knows God will bring her through.”
Allen’s spiritual growth has been one of the most noticeable changes over time, Garland said.
“She prays when challenges arise,” she said.
Through both her performance and her presence, Allen continues to shape the team not just as competitors, but as teammates who trust, respect and look up to her beyond the track.
Success in track isn’t built overnight. It’s developed through discipline, resilience and unwavering commitment to improve. Track and Field Head Coach Ranard Adkison said Allen has embodied all these qualities.
“She sets the tone,” Adkison said. “Her influence extends beyond performance, her fellow teammates look to her not just for results, but for reliability and support.”
For Adkison, coaching Allen has reinforced a lesson that extends beyond the track.
“It’s about reinforcing perspective,” he said. “I remind her to stay focused on what she can control, and learning to compete against her own standards, and not anyone else.”
While her physical ability has always been evident, her mental growth has been just as significant. Early in her career, her results on the track were everything. Now, she’s more focused on what she can control and how to improve.
“When others see her preparing at a high level, it pushes them to match that standard,” Adkison said. “She leads without having to say much.”
