Firebird Spotlight - Jerily Benjamin, Women's Cross Country/Track & Field

Profile:

Jerily Benjamin is a senior Health Education major hailing from Queens, NY.  The youngest of four children (two boys, two girls), Jerily started running track as a freshman in high school at the recommendation of her older sister, Jeavon. Both Benjamin sisters (Jeavon and Jerily) are now 4x400M Relay All-Americans – Jeavon at Arizona State, and Jerily at UDC.

About UDC/Post-graduation Plans:

Jerily’s favorite class thus far at UDC was Quantitative Reasoning, taught by Dr. David Barnett. As a two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree, she appreciates her head coach Alton McKenzie’s philosophy that she and her teammates are “students first.”  After UDC, she hopes to pursue graduate studies in Physical Therapy.

About the City:

Jerily enjoys exploring the nation’s capital both on foot and using the metro. She likes the city atmosphere – particularly all of its restaurants and the U Street corridor. She says that D.C. reminds her somewhat of living in NY.

Favorites:

Jerily enjoys all forms of music, particularly R&B and Hip Hop. To eat, Jerily has a taste for lentils – particularly Dal with salt, fish and rice. She makes it a point to drink a lot of water and eat a wide array of foods and “not just french fries.”

On the track:

Jerily said she has only one thought when running an event at a track meet: “Focus on finishing the race.”

Advice for student-athletes:

“Even when you think no one is looking…someone always is. Hard work pays off, but always be humble.”

Quote from Coach McKenzie:

“Jerily is a high achiever on and off the track. She’s accomplished so much in her two years competing here, and I’m excited to see what this school year brings. Best part of it all, she’s so quiet and unassuming about it, which makes her very lethal…you don’t see her coming! Her personality is a lot like her long stride: it doesn’t seem like she’s moving very fast but really she’s so efficient and overpowering with every step she takes. Quiet as she seems, she has a very good sense of humor…don’t let the quiet demeanor fool you!

She’s a leader on our team and I look forward to her showing by example what it takes to be successful in the classroom as well as on the track; but also being more vocal with her leadership as she has so much to offer.“