More News

Since she decided to return to track and field two years ago, life has literally been moving in fast-forward mode for 2008 United States Olympian and Oxon Hill High School graduate Mechelle Lewis.

Lewis, who ran on the U.S. women's 400-meter relay team in Beijing, visited her alma mater Monday to speak to a gymnasium full of female high school athletes from across the county.

"I wanted them to know that I was just like them, and to know where life can take them if they put their minds to it," said Lewis, a native of Fort Washington. "I know what it's like seeing the world and doing things beyond Oxon Hill and wanted them to know how much they could achieve."

After a four-year All-American track career at the University of South Carolina, Lewis moved to New York City and began a career in advertising before deciding to come back to track and train for the 2008 Olympics. County Athletic Director Earl Hawkins was in attendance Monday and expressed his gratitude to Lewis for returning home to speak to students.

"I think the county and students needed to hear from a young person firsthand who achieved success and was a high school athlete here," Hawkins said. "They needed to see someone who is very responsible, respected and grounded come into the county to share about how she has achieved."

"We are very excited that she decided to stop by and visit to speak with the students," said Oxon Hill High Assistant Principal Clayton Singleton. "I think for her to talk with our student-athletes is a real grounding type of situation that will give them background to persevere through life."

Lewis stayed more than 45 minutes after her talk to sign autographs and take pictures with students. While the day represented a triumphant return home for Lewis, her experience in Beijing was not without frustration. The U.S. women's 400-meter team was disqualified from the Olympic final for dropping the baton after a bad exchange. The U.S. was in first place and Lewis had just finished the third leg of the race when the drop occurred.

Despite the disappointing result, Lewis said she plans to continue her track and field career and hopes now that she is "recognized as a world class athlete" she will continue her mission to try to "dominate" and live up to expectations of an athlete in her position.

"It was a big sacrifice to come back [to track and field]," Lewis said. "It was a lot of hard work that went into play and mentally required a lot, like going to practice five, six times a week. For things to happen like they did and to get the results that I did was great and it was worth the work."

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.