Reyna to Sign with Sacramento State Track and Field

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior Kiani Reyna will sign to run collegiately with the Sacramento State Hornets on Wednesday as part of the St. Francis Signing Day Celebration.

“I am really excited about Sacramento State,” said Reyna.” The one thing that sold me on Sacramento State was the coach. I really liked the coach. I know some of the girls on the team. I felt like I was part of it already when I went to visit.”

Reyna will run for sprints coach Kimberly Graham-Miller. A decorated athlete while competing at Clemson, Graham-Miller was a three-time Atlantic Coast Conference Performer of the Year (1991-93), the only woman to win the honor three times. She was selected to the U.S. Olympic team in 1996 and won a gold medal in the 4×400 relay. Graham-Miller later won the 400 at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 1998.

Reyna, who has competed and practiced on the Hornet facilities for years, felt right at home.

“It was a very comfortable fit for me,” said Reyna about committing to Sacramento State. “I was kinda scared to go away from home and a new place. With Sacramento State, we have run around there so much I feel like I already know where everything is on campus. I have run on that track so many times. It feels like home to me.”

Reyna has been a key contributor in the St. Francis sprints throughout her career and had big success as part of the CIF State Championship qualifying relay teams. She ran the 4×100 and 4x-400-meter relay at the state meet to conclude her freshman and sophomore seasons. The 4×400 team placed third overall in 2014.

“I definitely want to make it back to state one more time and get on the podium for the 4×400,” said Reyna. “I know we have the potential to do it. A team that we had beaten last year won. I really feel like we can win the whole thing.”

The 4×400m relay team is coming off a big weekend at the Arcadia Invitational, winning the event with the third-best time in school history.

“It was awesome to improve from our second-place finish from last season on such a huge stage,” said Reyna, who combined with Lilly Enes, Elizabeth Hennessy and Ariane Arndt on the relay. “It was very nerve-wracking but it was good preparation for the bigger meets at the end of the season like sections and states.”

Reyna, who was hampered with injuries during her junior season, is excited to be healthy again this season.

“It has been going pretty well,” said Reyna. “It has been a little hard to find my footing after being injured and seeing where I am at. I don’t have any complaints about it. Considering my circumstances, I think I have done pretty well.”

Reyna joined Na Wahine O ‘Olu hula this year and enjoyed adding a new activity to her schedule.

“It was fun because it broke up all the running,” said Reyna. “I have just been running, running, running (during my first three years). I have not really got involved in anything else here. It was fun and interesting to learn about my culture. I really enjoy dancing and it has been a good experience.”

With her college choice made, Reyna, who hopes to run 57 seconds in the 400 and 25.5 in the 200 meters, can set her sights on the finish line of prep career.

“I am very passionate about running and it is something that I love to do,” said Reyna. “I did not want it to end after high school. I wanted to continue to do it and do it successfully.”

Reyna will participate in the St. Francis signing Day Celebration on Wednesday, April 13 at 9 a.m. in the St. Francis Theatre.