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Laiana McClinton: First Polynesian Heritage Athlete To Win 100m And 200m State Titles At High School Meet
Iliesa Tora, Senior Sports Journalist
A Florida based high school student has become the first Polynesian heritage athlete to win both the 100 and 200 metre titles at the Florida State High School Athletics competition.
Laiana McClinton, who has links to Tonga and Samoa, won both events on Tuesday, claiming two gold medals along the way.
McClinton stopped the clock at 11.75 seconds in the 100m and 23.67 seconds in the 200m.
It is not the first time either the high school student has won in competitions across Florida, having dominated the Largo High School sprint events in the past few seasons.
She has also become the first student from her school to win the events since 1992 - 33 years ago.
Proud mother Janesia Tautalatasi said on her social media posts that the achievement was a big reward and she was proud of what her young daughter has been able to achieve.
"The biggest reward as a mother is being able to step back and watch your children flourish in life and strive to become greater versions of themselves all by the Grace of God!," she said.
"All the many sacrifices, countless tears and silent struggles you go through as a single mother makes proud moments like this worth it!
"Double State Champion! Super proud of this girl!
"She put in real blood, sweat and tears into this season and this was her reward!"
She thanked coach Jamar Parker "who played a big key in her high school success".
"He pushed her all season and set high goals for her," she stated.
"Thanks Coach Tite for all that you do."
The Largo High School Track and Field team congratulated McClinton, adding she has re-created history.
"Congratulations to our very own Laiana McClinton (Junior) on accomplishing the amazing feat of winning the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash at the FHSAA Class 4A State Championships (STATE CHAMP X2)," they said on their Facebook page.
"Laiana is the first Girls Track and Field champion from Largo High School since the feat was accomplished in 1992, 33 years later."
Samoa and Tonga links
Proud mum Tautalatasi said her daughter has strong Polynesian bloodlines, connecting her to both Samoa and Tonga./
"She is Tongan, Samoan and African American," she said.
"Her Polynesian bloodline on both sides are very athletic. Her Tongan side is the Sikahema bloodline from Vava'u."
She is related to Vai Sikahema, the first Tongan to go to the NFL.
"My dad and Vai's dad are brothers," she revealed.
Her Samoan side is the Tautalatasi bloodline.
That makes McClinton a direct relative of Nico Iamaleava and Junior Tautalatasi, who also was one of the early Samoan NFL players.
"So saying all her athleticism came from one side is not true," her mum said.
"She has the best of three worlds!! She embraces all three and her winning the state championship in the 100m and 200m in one of the fastest and competitive states in the country might not be a big deal for some but to our family and our people it is a milestone."
Tautalatasi said this is just te beginning.
"We don't have alot of Polynesian sprinters," she wrote on her page.
"Thank you for all your love and support for my daughter.
"This won't be the last time you see or hear from her."
Her blood ties makes the young champion eligible to represent either Samoa, Tonga or the United States of America.
Aunt, Sina Sikahema, said her niece's achievement "isn't just a victory! it's a moment that will live on for our people, our culture, and our legacy".
Sikahema said winning the titles during the Pacific Island Heritage Month was big.
"Polynesians belong on every stage and now, the track too. She did it during Pacific Islander Heritage Month, no better time to show the world what we're made of!
"This is for Tonga. This is for Samoa. This is for every young Islander girl who dreams big."
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