Canes on Track with Taneisha Cordell
By David Villavicencio
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – TaneishaCordell grew up an Ohio State fan in Columbus, Ohio, but the standout athleteknew exactly where she wanted to continue her athletic and academic careers:Miami.
Cordell, who stars for the Hurricanes in middle distanceevents, snubbed the hometown Buckeyes in favor of an opportunity to run underthe tutelage of Miami’s legendary track coach, Amy Deem.
“Ohio State did recruit me,” Cordell said. “I just knew Ididn’t want to stay home in Ohio. I always wanted to come down south, somewheresunny. I got the opportunity. I heard from the University of Miami. I wasexcited. I came on my visit and everything fell into place.”
The soon to be 20-year-old has gotten off to a strong startfor the Hurricanes. Cordell won the women’s 600m run at the New Mexico Classicand has been a contributor on the women’s 4x400m relay team that has had a lotof success this indoor season.
Cordell, who was an all-state runner all four years in highschool, expected to dominate in college from the very beginning. But thesophomore quickly realized that it would take a lot of hard work to reach thegoals she set for herself.
“I honestly thought I was going to come in and I was goingto be super fast, maybe a national champ,” Cordell said. “It was a rude awakening.I had to basically start from the bottom. I’m training with best, competingwith the best, and it is a process. I’m getting there. I’m working my way upand I’m excited to where I’m heading.”
The Ohio native did not always have the positive outlook sheclearly displays today. In fact, there were times early in her Hurricane careerwhere Cordell thought about giving up.
“It was really frustrating,” Cordell said. “I think everyathlete goes through it and at one point I wanted to quit. I think every athlete goes through it.I had the conversation with my mom. ‘Mom, I want to come home.’ It’s just thelove for the sport, the motivation, the fact that I want to be the best, wantto continue to do the best that I can. I can’t quit. I’m excited and like Isaid it’s a working process and I’m excited.”
Cordell has set several lofty goals for herself. Ever thecompetitor, she aspires to reach the peak of her sport, but she knows it takestime to get to the top.
“This year, I have big goals for myself,” Cordell said. “Idefinitely want to be a top placer in a national championship. I see that in myfuture and I know I’m capable of doing it, but this year I’m taking baby steps.This year, I really plan on putting myself in a good position to place in conferenceand eventually get to Indoor Nationals. It’s just getting my time down, workingon myself. Everything will work itself out.”
One reason Cordell might be having success this year is thearrival of Alaine Tate. A transfer from Hampton University, Tate and Cordelltrain together and compete in a lot of the same events. Tate’s presence hashelped push Cordell like she has never been pushed before.
“It’s really very competitive in practice, but it’s a goodcompetitive,” Cordell said. “We do push each other. It’s different because inhigh school it was just me. I didn’t really have anyone else pushing me, so inpractice it really helps to have someone of the same caliber pushing you.You’re tired, she’s pushing you. She’s tired, I’m pushing her. It really helpsus get through the workout and in the end, it helps out with our races becausewe’re ready to compete.”
The duo’s hard work paid off recently as they finished inthe top two in the women’s 600m at the New Mexico Classic. Cordell wasvictorious and Tate finished just behind her, but Cordell was excited to seeboth of them run an excellent race.
“It was really exciting,” Cordell said. “It’s great toaccomplish big things, breaking records and everything, but when you have yourteam doing good to, it’s just more motivation to keep going out there and keepon winning. No one wants to win alone.”
While Cordell loves to run track, she has other intereststhat she plans to focus on once her athletic career ends. A broadcastjournalism major, Cordell is very interested in going into entertainment.
“I like to sing,” Cordell said. “I’m kind of working my wayinto that. But obviously if the opportunity comes in track, to be an Olympian,I would definitely take the opportunity. After track ends, my dream is to be inthe entertainment business.”
Cordell likes to sing R&B and is inspired by the likesof Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey. But she is also interested inworking as an on-camera talent.
” I want to work my way up because nothing’s guaranteed,”Cordell said. “I can definitely see myself in front of the camera. I think itwould be cool. It fits me well.”
Whether it is singing, reporting or running track, Cordellis going to work hard to succeed at anything she wants to do. And that issomething that will benefit her and Miami’s track program.
