Passing the Baton: Penn Relays with On
The RIDC’s Movement for All, Powered by On launched last month with applications numbering in the thousands in just a few weeks. For many, this transformative opportunity to learn from leading coaches and trainers marks a significant commitment to their movement journey - whether starting for the first time or returning after a hiatus. What links this community together across location, age, and activity level, is the transcendent power of motivation. Inspiration drives the mind forward even when the body reaches its limit.
After a well-received address at On’s Global Summit in Portland, RIDC’s Executive Director Kiera Smalls and Operations Manager Max Vasapoli were invited to On’s kick-off event for Penn Relays in Philadelphia. Known for their community impact, On partnered with local boutique Lapstone & Hammer to present a panel discussion with a few of their athletes participating in the Penn Relays. The audience included middle and high school aged athletes from Philadelphia’s Infinity Track Club, many of which have competed in regional and national track events with great success.
Invited On athletes Samirah Moody, Max Thomas and Bella Whittaker spoke candidly about the journey from aspiring high school athlete to sponsored professional. Accomplished athletes in their own right, each highlighted the importance of self-reliance in trying times and the role that others had in shaping their ambition.
Though many track stars specialize in specific events, the trio expressed that expanding their athletic prowess helped them forge their place on the track. Max Thomas recalled that early on he focused on soccer instead because his father coached his high school’s track and field program. Family continues to play a large role in his determination, as Max noted that his daughter remains a constant inspiration to him as his star continues to rise.
Bella Whittaker, a Senior at the University of Pennsylvania, similarly emphasized family as a driving force to her achievements. Her sister Juliette Whittaker runs for Stanford University. The pair are the first siblings to make the US Olympic Track & Field team since 2000. Bella stressed the uniqueness of having a sibling as a competitor and using that competitive edge as inspiration each time she sets foot on the track.
Samirah Moody also had family ties to high-achieving athletes and originally focused on basketball before garnering accolades in track and field. In a sport hinged on hundredths of second, Moody concentrates on the opportunity in front of her at the starting line, not the possibility of failure. She expressed that, “there’s nowhere else to be in that moment.”
For these athletes and their attentive audience of hopefuls, finding clear inspiration sets the foundation for greatness and keeps them striving for more. With generous support from On, we know our Movement for All athletes have all the right makings to inspire themselves and others throughout the program and beyond.
