Pan-Ams is a Dream Come True for Tedreauna Britt

2018 interview


If Tedreauna Britt is wearing a red, white and blue uniform, you can bet she's going to give it her all.



Whether representing the University of Mississippi or the United States of America, the St. George native and former Woodland High standout's goal is to finish on top. The rising Ole Miss true sophomore will get her next chance as a member of the USA Track and Field team in the Pan American Under 20 Championships beginning Friday in San Jose, Costa Rica. Britt qualified by winning the discus and finishing second in the shot put in June in Miramar, Fla.

Britt, an All-Southeastern Conference selection, said she met the exact criteria to advance to Costa Rica.

"You have to hit certain marks and then register with USATF," she said. "You then get accepted into the meet competing with others under 20 and must get first or second in your event. That's what I did."

Britt chose Ole Miss over South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida after a highly successful career at Woodland. She helped her team win a pair of Class 2A state championships in 2017-18, as well as four region titles. She won individual titles in the discuss four straight years and added a shot put championship as a senior.

In addition to her high school accolades, Britt won a USATF national title in the 15-16 girls shot put. As a true freshman at Ole Miss, she qualified for both the indoor and outdoor SEC tournaments. She ranks fourth in school history in the shot put (50-01.75) and seventh in the weight throw (58-11.5), according to the Rebels athletic website.

Britt said that Ole Miss has given her the best opportunity to improve as an athlete.

"It was all about connecting with people and the coaching staff," she said. "I didn't have bad experiences with any school, but when I got (to Ole Miss) I just knew it's where I should be." Britt added that the longer seasons in college have helped her prepare for the Pan American Championships.

"I have a really great coaching staff that has helped me, but it's extremely different than high school," she said. "It's crazy to compete that long. You have to love it to go week after week and month after month."

Britt is not the only in-state athlete competing in the championships. She will be joined by
Hanahan alumnus and University of Cincinnati standout Quincy Mitchell Jr. The Bearcats rising sophomore sprinter competed in the 200-meter dash in the qualifier, finishing with a time of 20.84 to finish third. It was the second-fastest time in the event in school history. He will be a member of the relay pool in the 4x100m and 4x400m.




Mitchell helped lead Hanahan to two state championships. Individually, he won titles in the 100m and 200m meter events with another in the 4x100m.

Britt said that the competition she faced as a freshman in the SEC gives her confidence going into the weekend.

"The SEC is, in my opinion, the best conference in all events," she said. "As a thrower, it was really hard. I had to prove myself and competed against the best in my conference. I want to win the SEC in all my events and be a SEC champion. Next season, I want to compete in the NCAA tournament, and in the future hopefully I'll be an Olympian."

Britt said taking the first step toward her long-term goal in the Pan American championships is a large one.

"It's literally a dream come true, especially being a track athlete," she said. "I've always wanted to wear the USA uniform. I'm very excited and happy to compete and show my talents."