Daija Lampkin - Classroom Champion
10/9/2019 12:25:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
All-American sprinter Daija Lampkin has always known she wanted to go into the medical field. The classes she took in high school, the major she picked at Alabama, all the hard work she's put in since she was young has all been pointed toward the ultimate goal of medical school.
That focus and passion even extended to her television viewing habits. While most kids were watching "iCarly" and "Drake & Josh," Lampkin was tuning in to the medical drama "House."
"Ever since I was young, I always watched medical shows," Lampkin said. "My favorite one was "House" - I wanted to be one of those doctors who always solves medical problems and helps people."
Her dedication and drive started young and continues to this day.
"I've always worked hard in school," she said. "I was in the AP and honors classes and everyone knew I was kind of a nerd. My parents never had to get on me about doing homework or studying, they just let me be because they knew the type of person that I was."
When it came time to select a school that would support her desire to excel on the track and in the classroom, Alabama was the obvious choice.
"One of the reasons I picked Alabama was because my mom and I, during the recruiting process, were looking for a school not just for its athletics but academics too, because that is a large part of who I am," Lampkin said.
That decision led her to a spot on the U.S. Junior National team as a freshman and All-America recognition as a freshman and sophomore. It also led her to a place on the CoSIDA Academic All-America team last season while carrying a 4.0 grade point average in biology.
Her speed isn't relegated to the track. The Middletown, Del., native is slated to graduate at the end of the 2019-20 season and begin her master's degree. Such a rigorous schedule doesn't leave a lot of time for relaxing, but Lampkin has her eye on the prize.
"I want to be in the medical field, I want to become a doctor, I want to help people," she said.
ICYMI ??
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) September 30, 2019
Daija Lampkin was recognized at halftime of Saturday's game for her CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. #RollTide | #ClassroomChampions??? pic.twitter.com/W3UiLVWQbq
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