Thirteen-year-old Jaiya Patillo is quickly becoming a household name in the world of track & field. The talented athlete recently defeated college students in a track meet.
Although the race happened earlier this year, the news of Patillo’s amazing feat is still circling the internet as people continue to be in awe of her athleticism. In an interview with her local news station KMTV-News 3 Omaha, Patillo talked about what it was like competing against college athletes.
“It was an open track meet that we ended up running at, and it was really crazy running with college athletes, it was a lot different than running with my age group. And you think about how it’s more competitive when you’re running against college because they’re not just running. They’re running for their scholarship or whatever it is that they’re running for, so it’s a lot more competitive.”
Patillo ended up scoring the best time of the meet at 57.60 seconds. The next-highest time was 57.97 seconds, followed by 58.53 and additional competitors that came in the 59-second to the one-minute range.
According to her official Instagram, there is more to Jaiya Patillo than just being an athlete. In addition to being a 14-Time Jr. Olympian, 2022 USATF & Nike National Champion, Patillo is also an actress, social media influencer, and model for both Justice & Walmart.
The Nebraska native often trains at Offutt Air Force Base’s Field House as her mother is a Lieutenant Colonel stationed there.
So, just what does this skilled athlete do in her spare time? Well, according to her official website, in her spare time Patillo likes to go shopping, play Roblox with friends, bake, draw/paint, dance, and sing.
Additionally, as if her plate wasn’t full enough, Patillo is an honor roll student and rising philanthropist. The thirteen-year-old is a St. Jude’s Partner, holiday season sponsor, (making sure less fortunate families feel the love of the season), and Jaiya makes significant donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children, The Goodwill, Girls Inc, and a women’s shelter for veterans.
