BE's Emma Albano making great strides as elite field performer

Emma Albano has been a part of almost every awards ceremony this spring at the major high school track and field meets in the Palmetto State. Albano, a junior at Bishop England High School, shoots down the myths and stereotypes every time she steps up on the victory platform.

Albano is proof you don’t have to begin to play sports as a toddler to be successful. She’s proof you don’t have to specialize in one sport early in your life, join travel teams and play it year round.

Albano has become one of the elite field performers in South Carolina, specializing in the shot put and discus, while experimenting in the javelin and hammer throw. And she’s become one of the best female performers in the state despite not playing a sport until she reached high school.

Albano was home schooled until she enrolled at BE, and the only extracurricular activity she participated in that might resemble a sport was ballet.

Ballet?

Yes, ballet.

Ballet is physically intense and improves muscular strength, flexibility and range of motion. It also boosts coordination and balance, and that comes in handy when you make spinning moves that play a key role in how far you put the shot or heave the discus.

And Albano shines in each event. She won the discus earlier this season at the Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic with an effort of 122 feet, 6 inches She set the school record in the shot put with an effort of 37 feet 10 inches at the Tri-County meet.

She also was named the top female field athlete at the Beach Run Invitational in Myrtle Beach.

“I think being consistent comes from the goals I set at the beginning of the year,” Albano said. “Every time I get in the ring I know I’m capable of becoming closer to them. Also, I like wearing fun socks, so my coach always reminds me to not let the socks down.”

Albano won the state title in the discus last year with a heave of 119-6. She should be favored in the discus and the shot put when the state meet is contested.

“The goal is winning state as a girls’ team,” Albano said. “We’re capable of it, so I hope to contribute as many points as I can to our team at state. Over the summer, I hope to hit 140 in the discus and 38 in the shot put because those were my season goals in March.”

Albano is an excellent student. She is ranked in the top one percent in her class and is involved in numerous activities, including serving as a student representative on the High School League’s advisory board.

“I, along with the 14 other members, work with the SCHSL to help put on the state championship events, we coordinated and introduced speakers at the SCHSL Leadership Summit, as a classification we created a service project that gives back to the community,” said Albano. “We advocate sportsmanship and leadership both on and off the field. It’s been an honor to be on the council. It’s a great group of kids.”

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