A mother nurturing her 1-year-old daughter.A student earning great marks in her classes. An athlete barreling down the track.Whereas most people find it an arduous undertaking to succeed at one or two of these livelihoods, Syrea Hicks, 19, nutrition and foods major, excels at all three: a mother, a student, and an athlete.

Her task as a runner is multifaceted, because she competes in many different events.

“She’ll work on the sprint events then she has to work on the relay events and she has to work on the long jump and the triple jump. That’s a lot of… different things to juggle… [and] I’ve never seen her without a smile” Dean Lofgren, head coach, said.

In the South Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s Track and Field event April 22 and 25, Hicks won the 100m hurdles, placed second in the long jump, placed fourth in the triple jump, and placed second place in the 400m relay.

Nationally speaking, Hicks ranks high amongst other athletes especially in the 100m hurdle.

“She is one of the best 100m hurdlers in the state, in the country, in any level… It doesn’t matter if it’s UCLA [or] USC; she is one of the best” Lofgren said.

Hicks has a lot of resolve and focuses on bettering her athletic ability frequently.She practices upwards of five days a week for five hours a day.

“She works really hard but she is a[n]… enthusiastic competitor…She really enjoys the competition, I think. And that combined with her talent and her work ethic is why she is successful” Kevin Hughley, assistant coach, said.

Despite all of her success, Hicks maintains her humility and keeps herself grounded.

“She is very humble, very modest. I mean she’ll win the race… [but] she just walks away with a smile” Lofgren said.

Her dedication and hard work ethic not only shows on the track but in her classes as well. Recently, Hicks has shifted more of her attention towards her studies.

She did not mark well in her classes before college. Her focus was primarily track and field, because she paid attention to what she already did well, Hicks said.

Now she does well in both an academic – taking 12 units and receiving A’s and B’s – and athletic construct.On top of all her accomplishments, she is also a mother.She gave birth to her daughter, Sa’Nya, on 26 April 2013.

Although her biggest encouragements include a lot of people – such as her coaches, her mother, and her boyfriend, Antwon Parker – her biggest encouragement is Sa’Nya.

“She’s probably my biggest encouragement because… I am actually doing it for someone.You know, make a better life in the future for me and my daughter” Hicks said.

As she looks into the future, she contemplates the advice she would give to her daughter.

“If she loves something… keep doing it.Keep that fire in her heart you know and always stay humble… and understand that it’s not always going to be your time… you always have to be patient” Hicks said.