Cecilia track standout to compete in Australia

Cecilia – Down Under Sports has invited Cecilia High sophomore Karanay Alexander to represent the state on the 2017 Louisiana Central Conference Track and Field Team. Karanay will depart for Queensland, Australia on July 2 to compete for individual honors and a team championship title.
For nine days in July, Karanay will represent Louisiana on the Central Conference Track and Field Team. She was nominated and received Impact Athlete honors for the 2017 Louisiana All-State Track and Field Team by Down Under Sports, which hosts international competitions for basketball, cross-country, football, golf, track and field, volleyball and wresting in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.
After the Australia event, Karanay will travel to Hawaii for a three-day holiday, where she’ll relax in the sun and experience the Polynesian culture on the island of Oahu.
Karanay has represented the Lady Bulldogs in volleyball, basketball and track and field, attracting attention for her performances in local track and field meets, competing in the long jump, triple jump,100 and 300 meter hurdles, 4x200 relay and 4x400 relay for the past two years. But she never thought her hard work would take her outside of the U.S. That invitation left her motivated.
“When I read the invitation, it was like, Me! I’m only a sophomore and they are watching me already, they only saw me in my freshman year and I was recruited to represent my country. I know God has favor on me,” she says. “I told my mom and sister, there’s eyes on me at a little school in a little community called Cecilia. I’m really excited.”
“It’s truly a honor to be invited to represent my family, school, church, community, parish, state and country at this event,” she adds. “I am hoping to make new friends, bring home a medal and make all my supporters proud.”
Just like Olympic athletes, Karanay will have to raise funds – more than $5,000 – to travel to Australia. If any business or individual would like more information on how to help sponsor Karanay, there will be advertisements around the parish, on social media or you can call Nichelle Alexander 337-296-7421 for more information.
A Fundraising Poboy Sale is planned for Saturday, May 20, at Endiglo Cafe, 2376 Main Hwy, Breaux Bridge, just past Teche Elementary School, starting at 10 a.m. The meal will consist of a sausage poboy, bag of chips and soda for $6.