Cleveland's Qetuwrah Abdullah-Muhammad (20) is fouled by Ooltewah's Kaitlyn Kennedy (21). Cleveland faced Ooltewah in the quarterfinal game of the District 5-AAA Tournament at Cleveland High.One of the area's most versatile athletes, Cleveland High School's Atarah Abdullah-Muhammad, will follow in her mother's footsteps and run track for Middle Tennessee State University.
She signed a letter of intent with the Murfreesboro school this week.
Her mother, Ursula Langford, held several school records at Cleveland, which since have been broken by Atarah and her younger sister Qetuwrah.
Atarah, who also plays basketball for the Lady Blue Raiders, twice has qualified for the Class AAA state meet in multiple events.
She set a school record in the triple jump last year at 35 feet, 11.25 inches and is part of the record-setting 4x100 relay team. She has won each of the last two state sectional triple jump titles and finished sixth in the state in that event last spring, as well as being a state qualifier in the long jump. Her best long jump is 16-7.5.
This season she also will compete in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, high jump and pentathlon.
"Atarah exemplifies the perfect blend of student-athlete," Cleveland coach Casey Price said, noting that she has a 4.0 grade point avearge. "When all athletes start their careers, this is where they want to be, getting a college scholarship to compete at the next level.
"Atarah is a fierce competitor who is aiming at winning the state this year."