Fayetteville Christian's Nashyah Pagan named NCISAA track athlete of the year

Fayetteville Christian freshman Nashyah Pagan earned statewide recognition for her performance as a track and field standout this season.

Pagan was named Girls’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year by the NCISAA’s Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for the 2-A classification.

She won the state title in the 100- and 200-meter sprints, turning in times of 12.76 and 26.24 seconds, respectively, at the NCISAA 2-A/1-A meet at Campbell on May 19.

Pagan won both of those titles as an eighth-grader in 2017, in her first year as a member of the Warriors’ track team.

Coach Raymond Esquilin said he first spotted Pagan on the basketball court.

“She didn’t run track before that because, of course, she wanted to play basketball,” Esquilin said. “Nobody really wants to run track because track is a demanding sport, and nobody really likes to run. But I knew she had skills.”

Pagan also anchored Fayetteville Christian’s state championship 4x100 relay team, combining with Aeryon Davis, Shadea McElvine and Monet Oliver for a time of 51.65.

The Warriors won the 4x100 and 4x200 titles in 2017, with Pagan running the first leg of the race.

“She’s improved her times,” Esquilin said. “Her training’s improved, and she got a little more serious with it.”

Esquilin said Pagan is continuing training over the summer months, with an eye on long-term goals for her track future.

“She’s going to go far if she sticks with track,” Esquilin said. “I told her that the first main objective is for her to keep her grades up, and she’ll get a scholarship in track. No doubt about it.

“Then, after that, try to make the Olympics.”

Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at jshambaugh@fayobserver.com or 609-0651.