The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Jasmine Lee: Running away from home
01.30.2007 | Track & Field / Cross Country w, Track & Field / Cross Country
When people think of the name junior Texas sprinter Jasmine Lee, they associate it with the two-time high school All-American, one-time collegiate All-American and NCAA relay champion. After all, the Norwalk, Calif., native clocks unbelievable times in several events on the track all while focusing on her studies and maintaining a solid GPA.
She is definitely an amazing student-athlete. But even though she continues to represent the university, and the residents of the Lone Star State well, the fact is Texas is not the only state she represents.
Lee was born and raised in the heart of the West Coast, California. The story of her success is a great one but began in the most unlikely way.
"When I was younger, I used to be afraid of dogs," says Lee with a laugh.
One day while walking outside in her neighborhood, her neighbor's dog was outside escaped from her their backyard and immediately began to chase Jasmine down the street.
"I ran a few blocks, and my parents said all they remembered was hearing someone screaming. They looked out the window and saw me running," she said.
After safely escaping the dog, some family friends were told about her experience and encouraged her to join a nearby track program.
The rest was history.
Since walking on the Forty Acres, Lee won a national title and helped UT to a sixth-place team finish during the outdoor season, as the lead leg of the 4x100m relay (42.84) at the 2006 national outdoor meet. At the Big 12 Conference Championships, she placed fifth in the 400m (55.04b). In the 200-meter dash, she also clocked an amazing 23.73 in the preliminary round at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships.
She definitely is enjoying her life here in Austin and is appreciative of the opportunities she has been awarded, but every once in a while she misses being at home. Aside from an uncle in Dallas, most of her family resides in California.
"It's different (running for Texas), because you're not in front of your friends and family."
Being a very family oriented person, it was a very difficult decision to join the Texas track team, especially after a year at USC.
"I felt that I would succeed more in Austin and stay focused on what I came to college to do -- which is get my education and run track."
Although she's hundreds of miles away from home, that doesn't stop her family from being supportive. Her parents Hilbert and Debra Lee travel every track season to several meets to watch their daughter compete.
Despite the fact that she hardly ever gets to go home for her favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, the love Texas shows her never makes her feel too far away.
"I have family here... my teammates."
The winter break is normally when Lee makes it back to California to relax and enjoy time away from the track. She doesn't get to go home much, but when she does, she makes the most of it.
"There's an indoor track that I go to, and we get to race cars. You do about 30 laps... (And the cars) go about 60 m.p.h. It's fun," Lee concedes.
As Lee gets ready for the rest of the track and field season, she continues to work hard every day in practice. The junior already stands out as one of the team leaders and will definitely contribute to the several victories we can expect from the UT women.
"Texas can expect for me to be determined and focused. We want to win a national championship, indoors and outdoors," said Lee.
She is also working to uphold her GPA. In a year's time, the college student, who happens to be fluent in Spanish, will be getting ready to graduate with a degree in international business.
Texas can definitely expect more great things from this young star.
