For the second straight year, Jayla Jamison garnered 4 gold medals at the S.C. High School League Track and Field championships at Harry Parone Stadium. 
The Airport High School freshman became a household name in Lexington County athletics in 2018 when she, like this year, won the Class 4A 100, 200 and 400 meters and the long jump as an 8th grader at Pine Ridge Middle School.
“I just felt blessed,” she said. “Being able to accomplish what I did...I just want to thank my coaches.”
The ability to win a gold medal in four events may seem relatively easy, considering it’s now been done two years in a row. 
But how can someone transition between each event? 
“It’s just staying focused,” Jamison said. “I just try to focus on one event. If it’s the long jump, I’m focusing on the long jump.
“It’s just about not giving up,” she said when I asked about the motivation to compete and win each time out.”
Her brother, Patrick, is one of her coaches.
“Knowing the difference between coaching and being her brother, watching her warm up, I know the difference when something isn’t right,” he said. “As her brother, I expect these results. After doing this last year as an 8th grader, I told her ‘you need to go out here and do this’.”
The challenges this year were mounting as the state meets were trying to beat out the rain and impending thunderstorms.
“Jayla began at 9:55 and she had to be done by 12,” he said. “Trying to keep the focus for 4 events was so important.”
After repeating this feat, the conversation can begin as to whether Jamison will go down as the most decorated athlete in the history of Airport High School and possibly Lexington School District Two. 
When asked, Jamison said a simple ‘Yes. No doubt.’
Expectations continue to rise for the freshman, who has solidifed herself as one of the top track stars in the state of South Carolina.
What advice to Jayla have for someone who sees what she is doing and wants to carve their own path? 
“Practice and train,” she stated boldy as the sun beat down on the track at the Mooneyham Complex. “If you’re not out there training, nothing is going to pay off.  “Training is so important.”
The journey isn’t over for Jayla in 2019, as she will head to the national qualifiers in just a few weeks.