New Jersey High School Star Natalie Dumas Breaks State Records Held by Olympic Champions
In just three years, Natalie Dumas has transformed from a novice runner to a record-breaking athlete at Eastern High School. Her journey began when she joined the track team as a freshman, but it was her sophomore year that truly marked her ascent.
At the "New Balance Nationals Outdoor," Dumas stunned spectators by clinching victory in the 400-meter hurdles. "I was in pure shock that I knew that I did it," she recalled. The aftermath was overwhelming; "The next day my phone blew up and I was freaking out because I never had my phone blow up like that before, and everything changed for me then."
In May, Dumas tied the New Jersey State 400-meter record set by four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, clocking in at 51.87 seconds. "She'll dig deep to find that extra gear," remarked Mike Tangeman, head coach of the Eastern Regional High School Girls Track & Field team. "She's one of the most focused athletes I've ever coached."
Just five weeks later, she shattered that record with an impressive time of 51.14 seconds in the 400-meter, marking the fastest time globally this year for athletes under 20. "At the end of my 400, I had a small fall. I was so upset; I worked so hard for this," Dumas reflected. "I was sitting there laying on the ground like, 'I got second.' And I lift my head up, and it said Natalie Dumas 1st place and I'm freaking out."
Her remarkable season continued as she secured three national titles: the 400-meter, 400 hurdles, and 800-meter events. "I was most worried about winning [the 800-meter] than every other one because this is the one I had to defend," she admitted.
Barry W. Jackson, assistant coach for the Eastern Regional High School Girls Track team, expressed his admiration: "I appreciate being one of the people who coaches her, and I love that I had the opportunity to coach such a great athlete."
As Dumas prepares to enter her senior year, she looks ahead with aspirations of competing on the Olympic stage, ready to take her talents to new heights.
