Aggies Add To Sprint Factory With STA's Sparling & Spaulding

 
Krystal Sparling and Diamond Spaulding dazzled fans with their speed and were an opponent's worst nightmare. The St. Thomas Aquinas senior are arguably the most potent 1-2 punch in the country on one of the most dominant programs in the nation. As juniors, the pair were part of the Raider's national leading 4x200m relay, US#4 4x100m relay, and US#2 4x400m relay. Recently, the announced they will be headed out west, signing with Texas A&M.

For Spaulding, who ran a wind-aided 23.00, US#3 all conditions last year, the recruiting process was fun and tiring at the same time. After the 2013 season, she received recruiting mail, and after sifting through college letter finally narrowed her choice to Texas A&M, Texas, Florida, LSU, and Alabama with the Aggies winning out. A native Texan herself, born in Dallas, she says she was proud to be back in the Lonestar State and the atmosphere made her feel at home.

"I really am looking forward to the next level. I am looking forward to the GEAR of course! I am looking forward to getting to know my new teammates and finally getting started on my college career."
 
Krystal Sparling, who boasts personal bests of 11.34 in the 100m dash and 23.34 for 200m, enjoyed every minute of the recruiting process. She witnessed first hand her friend Kendall Ellis (USC signee) receive phone calls and letters from coaches and says it felt good to feel wanted. Like Spaulding, she also took all five of her visits heading to Texas A&M, Alabama, USC, University of Florida, and LSU. She says what sold her on the Aggies was the atmosphere and the team bonding.

"I'm from Florida and I really didn't want to be far from home, but if I had to leave the state I would want to go somewhere where it felt just like home. Also,Coach Anderson showed a lot of interest in me and I loved him on the home visit. He was very professional and organized. The feeling I got at Texas A&M was amazing and that's why I chose them."
 
One common factor between both their high school, St. Thomas Aquinas, and their new home is a winning tradition. The Texas A&M women were NCAA National Champions during the outdoor seasons from 2009-2011, were third in 2012, runner-up in 2013, and champions again in 2014. Spaulding says winning, setting records, and getting faster is all they want to do.

"Being on powerhouse programs like St. Thomas and American Heritage (8th-10th grade) has helped me become the best I can be because everybody motivates you to do your best and you can’t help but be one of the best because you want your name in the lights as well. I feel like at TAMU I will be prepared to have the same motivation that I did at STA and AHS."
 
There are no Floridians on the women's roster this season and as of now it looks like the South Florida pair will be the lone Sunshine State athletes for the start of their freshman seasons. Both credit Coach Vince Anderson and his success with sprinters as a key piece in their decision. Spaulding says their is a definite possibility her and Spaulding will be roomates in college.

"I'm very excited that Diamond is coming with me. I always kind of knew that we would probably end up going to the same school. We have great chemistry together on and off the track and I'm pretty sure she'll push the issue for us to room together.
 
She adds that she is looking forward to the new experiences college has to offer.
 
"I can't believe the time has come already but it's time for me to grow up and face the next phase of my life. Also I'm looking forward to compete on a collegiate level and graduate school on time. It's more than I dreamed of. It was something so special to me and I'll never forget this time period of my life. I thank god everyday for all the opportunities that he has continuously blessed me with."

More Coverage