From Michigan to Tallahassee, Saint Lucian hurdler Aasia Laurencin is betting big on a new training base, a new coach and a shot at global glory.
The 23-year-old double national record holder is relocating to Florida A&M University to train under Garfield Ellenwood II, a move she hopes will sharpen her start and push her among the world’s elite.
It marks a shift ahead of her first full season as a professional athlete, one that the new University of Michigan graduate hopes will carry her to medals at the World Indoors and Commonwealth Games.
Ellenwood is known for shaping NCAA champions and world top 10 hurdlers. Laurencin expects no mercy, and that’s exactly what she wants.
“He’s going to kick my butt when I get there in the next couple of weeks, and I’m looking forward to doing something great, and you know, to clean up that start that everybody sees,” she told St Lucia Times.
Her goal is to qualify for the World Indoor Championships, though she admits it’s a tight turnaround. “We’re going to play it by ear if we can make indoor Worlds happen. But that is the goal. We still have to go through fall, get my fitness under control, clean up some things, and try some new things. So, we’ll see. You might see me hurdle a little different by the time it hits Indoor Worlds.”
“But that’s the 100 per cent goal to do that. Make it to the final and get that medal, to be honest. Always, of course, gold no matter what, but I would be grateful for any type of medal at the world stage.”
She’s also eyeing the Commonwealth Games in 2026. “Oh, I want to win at Commonwealth. That’s a no-brainer. I think there are some great competitors out there, but I definitely know I can make it happen.”
Laurencin, who is being supported by the Government of Saint Lucia under the Elite and Emerging Athletes Programme, paid a courtesy call to the Ministry of Youth Development & Sports during a visit to Saint Lucia this month. Accompanied by her grandparents, she met Minister Kenson Casimir and officials of the Saint Lucia Athletics Association. Permanent secretary Dr Uralise Delaire presented the star hurdler with a gift basket ahead of her return to her new training base in Florida.
“I always have some really big goals for myself,” she said of her first few months as a pro, and her first few meets competing for Saint Lucia. “I didn’t hit all of them, but I’m still grateful for the goals I did hit this season. And putting the flag out to the world was honestly one of my biggest goals.
“And you know, bringing a medal this year for Saint Lucia was another big goal for me, and I was so happy I was able to check that off when I competed at NACAC and got bronze out of lane eight, which is great. So honestly, it’s just been a blessing. God has given me just so much grace and mercy, and I’m just very proud of myself. I have to be very patient with this journey, and I’m really excited to see what next year has to come.
“I have so much pride for Saint Lucia, to represent my grandparents’ country, the roots up, is honestly a blessing.”
You have what it takes so keep flying even without wings ! The feathers will always be there even when the wing is broken . We are praying that you succeed every time but know for a fact that even when you do not win we will be loving you still !!!!!