ISAIAH LASSITER OF WESTCHASE CHEETAHS

Date: Sep 08 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many closures and cancellations; sporting events and whole seasons have been canceled or postponed – some indefinitely.

Track and field athletes have not been exempted from the effects of the pandemic on their seasons, and the Westchase Cheetahs from Tampa, FL were impacted like every other team. Coach Jarrod Macklin decided to train through the pandemic with his children and a few very dedicated competitors. Starting with 70 athletes, 40 of who were on the competition squad, by the end of March, the Cheetahs were down to 15-20 still practicing. Eight-year-old speedster Isaiah Lassiter was one of them.

“This kid has absolutely no quit inside him,” Macklin said of Lassiter, who participated in 4 meets before the COVID-19 shutdown and went undefeated in 100- and 200-meter races that were not even close. “I believe the races were never close because of the work Isaiah puts into his workout sessions. He is the perfect storm and his mentality is built to win.”

Lassiter has exceptional talent with a work ethic to match, and he is a great example of the kind of competitors invited to Speed Capital events in 2021. They work hard and push themselves in preparation for the competitiveness of Speed Capital meets, which draw the top track and field athletes from around the country.

Lassiter is as driven by his own internal motivation as he is by the competition.

“He does not miss practice, and his motivation and gears stay on 100 percent,” said Macklin, who coached Lassiter to three golds and a silver at AAU championship meets in 2019. “When he didn’t break the national record, he was upset. When he doesn’t get a PR, he gets upset at himself because he knows he can run faster.”

Macklin credits the guidance and support of Lassiter’s parents with shaping him into such a strong competitor at such a young age. The coach said Lassiter’s parents stay consistent with him, and he has two older brothers to chase, too.

“Iron sharpens iron,” noted Macklin, who predicts much success in the future for this young phenom. “I have been blessed to be able to train him. There will be much more to come in the future from this Cheetah.”

Speed Capital events will be the perfect showcase for this superstar in the making.