‘Feels surreal’ – Hinckson excited to be heading to LSU

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA will soon welcome another Guyanese track star, 17-year- old Athaleyha Hinckson having been announced as the Louisiana State University’s newest signing on a full ride scholarship.
It comes as no surprise, since, in 2024, Hinckson had not only clinched gold at the CARIFTA U17 100M event and silver in the 200M, but months later, the then 16- year-old became the South American U20 100M champion.
The sprint sensation has already begun 2025 on a positive note, racing to 7.39s in a 60M event at the Millrose Games in New York to set a new South American U18 record.
Her scholarship having been announced by LSU Track and Field Head Coach Dennis Shaver last week, an excited Hinckson has described this development as surreal to be heading to such an esteemed university.

“I’m super, super excited and I’m relieved, knowing that I’ve locked it down! This will be my future college for the next four years, but none of this could’ve happened without my coach, Coach Julian, and everybody else: my mentors, all my clubmates, my family, and everybody that pushed me to this limit and always saw my potential. They made me who I am today, and the hard work has paid off, and now I’m in a D1 University. It didn’t go to waste, and I will continue to make everybody proud,” Hinckson shared with this publication.
She added, “It’s honestly a great feeling knowing that I will be an addition to such an amazing team. It’s an honour, and honestly a hug motivation that so many Olympians or high-end athletes have been through that same path and now I’m here and I will be one of them, I will be an Olympian. So, it’s surreal, but it’s a great push to have.”
The current Medgar Evers College Prep student, when asked about her goals for the 4 years ahead, expressed an intention to leave a legacy at LSU alongside Olympic dreams.
“My goal when I’m at LSU is just to keep pushing, just keep going, keep improving, mark my name; most importantly, break records if I have to. Just go and just be better,” she disclosed.
Hinckson has also said of her long-term plans, “Yes, getting to the Olympics is already on my mind; I will be working towards it. I really want to be out there to represent my country.”
Approximately 2 months ago, Hinckson’s Guyanese clubmate at Running Brave, Malachi Austin, began his journey at LSU, and Hinckson highlighted that it will be great to have a familiar face in Louisiana.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that one of my fellow clubmates will be in the same space as me; knowing that we have the same track and cultural background; that we’ll be coming from the same club. It’s great that I have a piece of home left. We can continue to push and motivate each other to make everyone back home proud,” the teenager explained.
The teenager also had some advice for athletes in Guyana who are up-and-coming and have similar dreams. “My advice to all the younger athletes that are looking up to me is to keep pushing; the sky is the limit. Work hard for what you want, and you will see success. Even if it’s 5 months, 6 months or a year from now, it will happen, cause it takes time. Your time is coming soon, and most importantly, never underestimate yourself or others.”