GILBERT, AZ -- When she first stepped onto campus as a freshman at Williams Field, Saira Prince was just trying to figure out what sport she should play. She first tried out cross country and on the swim and dive team, but those only lasted four weeks. Then she found out her mom used to run hurdles -- or so she thought -- and decided to join the track and field team.
Fast forward three years, and now she's one of the top-ranked hurdlers in the United States who's on an athletic scholarship to Arizona State University.
"Honestly, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do as a freshman," Prince said at a ceremony following her decision to commit. "I tried many sports...I did track at the end of the year, and I was like, 'I really like this.' We didn't have a year because of COVID. But coming back sophomore year, I put my foot down and was like, 'Hurdling is definitely my thing and I really enjoy it.'"
In three short years, Prince has morphed herself into the state's premier hurdler. But, in an ironic set of events, it all started with a misunderstanding from Prince about her mom.
About Prince's mom's "past" as a hurdler -- Prince saw a hurdle at their house from her mom's time spent in college and thought her mom was a lifelong hurdler. Turns out the dream she started with, wanting to be just like her mom, was built on a false premise.
What fueled her the whole time wasn't even true -- her mom never ran the hurdles. She was an 800 meter runner. Prince only found out about a year ago.
Nonetheless, that dream powered her to great heights.
The 2023 outdoor track and field season has been Prince's best yet after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the beginning of her high school career. At the moment, Prince is ranked in the top 10 nationally in both the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles.
United States High School Girls 100mH
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12.96 | 2023 | East Meck Home Meet1st F | ||
| 2 | 13.18 | 1.7 | 2024 | ||
| 2 | 13.18 | 1.7 | 2024 | ||
| 4 | 13.26 | -2.0 | 2025 | ||
| 5 | 13.48 | 1.6 | 2023 | Florida Relays1st F | |
| 6 | 13.54 | 1.8 | 2025 | ||
| 7 | 13.71 | 3.0 | 2024 | ||
| 8 | 13.74 | 1.1 | 2023 | ||
| 9 | 13.75 | 1.7 | 2024 | ||
| 10 | 13.76 | 2023 |
United States High School Girls 300mH
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40.91 | 2023 | ||
| 2 | 41.22 | 2024 | ||
| 3 | 41.89 | 2023 | Panther Invitational1st F | |
| 4 | 42.06 | 2023 | ||
| 5 | 42.15 | 2023 | ||
| 6 | 42.18 | 2023 | ||
| 7 | 42.57 | 2024 | ||
| 8 | 42.58 | 2023 | ||
| 9 | 42.68 | 2023 | ||
| 10 | 42.69 | 2024 |
She will leave Williams Field with her name etched into the history book as she is the school record-holder in both of events. The two-time state champion will look to defend her crown in the 100mH at the AIA Division I State Track and Field Championships in May while trying to capture her first title in the 300mH before setting her sights on becoming the first "Open" state champion in both events, a new format introduced this year by the state association.
Prince (center) at the 2022 AIA State Track and Field Championships at Mesa Community College, where she ran the No. 4 time in state history (13.73) for the 100mH.
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At the moment, Prince is .14 seconds off breaking the state record in the 100mH. She'll get a chance to top that mark this weekend at the Arcadia Invitational in southern California, one of the most prestigious meets in the nation.
You can watch our video interview with Prince breaking down her college decision by clicking here.
Editor's note: The author of this article is currently a graduate student in the master of arts sports journalism program at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
