Olympic aspirant Shana Cox may well be on the way to achieving her goal. The winter and spring track and field star currently holds the fastest time in New York State for all high school athletes in the 200 meter dash, the fastest time on Long Island in the 200 and 300 meter dash, and is currently ranked #1 as of March 1 in the 200 meter dash for all athletes in Catholic and private schools.

"I don't like to lose," she said, "so I don't." Cox, a resident of Westbury, and a freshman at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, is currently undefeated in all major competitions this season in the 200 and 300 meters, including winner of the Westpoint Invitational and the Cornell Invitational. She was recently named most outstanding performer at the Nassau/Suffolk Catholic League Championships, and will participate in the Nationals March 10, 11, and 12, at the Armory Track and Field Center in Manhattan.

"Shana always has a very positive attitude," said Coach Dwayne Johnson, who has been working with Cox since November. "She is very competitive, extremely self-motivated, and very easy to train."

Cox began running in sixth grade, inspired by her older brother who also ran track and field. Today, she credits her family, her coaches, and herself for her successes. "I have a lot of confidence, and I am very disciplined," she said. Cox practices six days a week, working out for general health, and running race after race with little rest in between.

In addition to her dream of the Olympics, Cox would like to participate in the Goodwill Games. Head Coach Neal Levy said his goals for Cox include setting the freshman state record in the 200 meter dash, as well as the Long Island record in the 200. "She hasn't achieved that yet, but she's close," said Levy. "As long as she stays healthy, she has a lot of potential."