Mikalya Rhodes sets high goals for her performance on the track team.
“It feels good because I work year ’round doing indoor track and have a throwing ring at my house,”  said Rhodes. “I work super hard for my achievements.”
Rhodes, a junior, has been involved in track for eight years, competiting in discus and shot put. Rhodes has the  junior high discus record, and her personal best is 113.4 for discus at an invitational meet last year.
Her father, Mike Rhodes, coaches the Mount Pleasant track team.
“On competition day between the two teams there is always a big rivalry in the house,” said coach Rhodes said.
Coach Rhodes enjoys coaching the team but finds it “hard” to sit back and keep quiet whenever his daughter is competing.
Southmoreland coach Zach Cavalier says that Rhodes should have a “high level of confidence” this year after putting up high numbers last season.
Rhodes is battling diabetes, and even though her blood sugar sometimes gets low, that doesn’t stop her from competing.
Rhodes takes pride in her achievements and is determined to keep her performance at the highest levels possible.
After graduation, Rhodes plans to carry on her track career to Seton Hill University of Greensburg.