NAIMA THOMAS
Junior, Key West
Cross Country
“Naima has been a great asset to the Conchs cross country team. She’s got a great attitude and is a phenomenal cheerleader for her fellow teammates, always providing encouragement to everyone around her.” – Keara McGraw, Conchs cross country coach.
Key West’s Naima Thomas is the sort of athlete who makes coaching a joy. As a freshman, she proved to be an up-and-coming track star with natural speed, making her an exciting prospect for the Conchs in the sprinting events. She then took her speed and added some major miles last fall on coach Keara McGraw’s cross country team.
“Naima shows up with a great attitude, works hard, and is always striving to be better,” McGraw said of Thomas, who dropped several minutes from her 5k time and helped propel the Conchs to regionals in 2022.
When cross country season closed, she hit the track again, focusing on longer distances and helping her 4x800m relay team reach regionals too. With her usual determination and focus, Thomas has been putting in the miles this summer to prepare for fall’s cross country season. For her dedication to her sport and her team coupled with an unmatchable work ethic, Naima Thomas is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
