From growing up in Fayetteville, Georgia, and competing on local club teams, Imani Moore and Na'ilah Moore have found themselves on the same collegiate track and field team at Georgia Southern University.
Being outdoors and competing in scorching weather can be dreadful for many, but for the Moore sisters, their summer track meets on their club teams allowed them to be able to bond and make memories in the hot environment that will stick forever.
Na'ilah said that their parents signed her up for track when they realized that they were having a hard time beating her in a race at a young age. Being three years younger and not being able to fully commit, Imani was able to follow along with her older sister and dive into track and field.
"We started at the same time, and she was supposed to be the one to run, but I wanted to tag along, and my mom let me do it too," said Imani.
Their journey continued in high school for one year, where they were able to get their first experience of competing together. They hoped to be able to compete together collegiately one day, but that did not come immediately. They both were blessed with a chance to compete at a collegiate level with Na'ilah going to Georgia State and Imani committing to Georgia Southern a couple of years later.
Imani, a sophomore, is closing in on her second year competing in jumps and sprints for the Eagles. Na'ilah is a 5th-year transfer from Georgia State in her first season competing in jumps for the Eagles.
Na'liah spent four years on the Georgia State University track team before deciding to transfer and compete with Imani at Georgia Southern. Eager to reunite, Imani made sure to be a factor in the transfer process for her sister's relocation.
Imani said that she would talk to previous track coach Kelly Carter about her sister in hopes of eventually being able to get her to Statesboro. Following her final season at Georgia State, Na'ilah decided to transfer to Georgia Southern to continue her collegiate track career.
Being accompanied by a competitive partner while training and competing can bring the best efforts and performances out. The Moore sisters have been able to flourish by feeding off each other's energy.
The Moore sisters said that they know how to bring out the best in each other by motivation, and they can witness each other's accomplishments firsthand. Imani says that this season has been great with her sister because she has someone to talk to and joke around and be with while competing in their events.
At the Spec Towns Invitational in April, Na'ilah came in first while Imani took second in the triple jump. Their competitive spirits in the weight room and at practices have helped them achieve their goals at the highest levels.
The will power and strength that you may get from competing with a sibling could be the key factor in getting over the hump and being successful. This has been the case for the Moore sisters as they look to continue having memorable performances.
The duo is competing this weekend in the Sun Belt Outdoor Championship at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The sisters are both entered in the triple jump, and Imani is also slated to compete in the long jump and both relays. The meet runs through Saturday evening with live coverage airing on ESPN+.
Mikelia Padgett is a senior communications major from Douglasville, Georgia. She is part of the Southern Scribes, which consists of Georgia Southern students writing about Eagle athletics.
