In early September, Riley Vaughn (10) received an invitation from the AAU, recognizing her performance at the Junior Olympic Games in August 2024. This invitation offered her a spot on the inaugural U18 Track & Field Team representing the USA at the 2024 ISF (International School Sport Federation) Gymnasiade in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Looking back, Vaughn acknowledges the obstacles she was faced with and overcame.
“I was very nervous about competing in a Middle Eastern country almost 20 hours away and the three flights it would take to get there. This was also my first international meet. I had no idea how I was ranked or seeded against my competition,” Vaughn said.
Although she felt nervous about traveling nearly 20 hours to compete in an international event, Vaughn embraced the challenge and was determined to showcase her skills as a shot put and discus thrower, even though she was not sure how she would rank against older competitors.
The journey began at JFK Airport. Vaughn and her American teammates had their first opportunity to bond during a long layover before flying to Abu Dhabi. Vaughn recalls the excitement filling the air as they looked forward to representing their country.
“Everyone was so excited to represent the USA. It was such a different experience but a very good one,” Vaughn said.
Upon arriving in Bahrain, they participated in the Opening Ceremony Parade, where they met athletes from over 70 countries, including the King and his family.
“I met athletes from all over the world who love to compete as much as I do,” Vaughn said. The cultural exchanges during the event allowed Vaughn to collect memorabilia from fellow competitors, enriching her overall experience.
Vaughn’s journey in athletics began at six years old with the AAU, where she excelled and earned over 300 medals. She has distinguished herself as an Adidas, AAU and USATF All-American, all while balancing her commitment to the SHS Varsity Basketball Team. Ryan Vaughn (11) is Riley’s older brother. He has always known about her amazing athleticism because they have practiced together since we started doing track together.
“Work ethic isn’t something to question about my sister. My dad isn’t one to let up easily when it comes to practicing. You either get through the practice right or you aren’t going home until everything is right,” Vaughn Jr. said.
As a freshman, she won the 2024 5A Track & Field Discus State Championship and placed third in shot put. Her goal for her sophomore season is to win both the Discus and Shot Put State Championships while also breaking school records. Vaughn has ambitious goals beyond her athletic aspirations. She dreams of attending Harvard to pursue a career in law while continuing her athletic journey. Proudly representing her community, she hopes to make her family, friends, coaches and mentors proud as she excels in her sports and academic pursuits.
Science teacher Crystal Woodruff is a coach of Vaughn.
“Riley has that thing you can’t teach. It comes from learning from your mistakes and never giving up. This makes her resilient, and that is why she is successful. I think that this is just the beginning for Ms. Riley,” Woodruff said.
Reflecting on her journey, along the way, Vaughn remains humble and tries to continue to work hard.
“Things that help me in my journey are working hard, staying focused, and practicing when the competition isn’t. My dad is also my private trainer and AAU Coach, so we spend hours training together ensuring I’m mentally, technically and physically prepared for competitions,” Vaughn said.
