Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer

In any race, it’s a blessing, and sometimes a shocker to see her run. In some cases, it’s interesting to see when she crosses the line anywhere else but first. Is she unstoppable? No. Is she a force to be reckoned with? Absolutely. She may not be the best in the nation, but she’s surely on her way.

Rafaella Gibbons, the young speedster out of Winter Park High School has been dominating her competition for a few years now. In her middle school days, much like she is now, she was known for getting out and running away from her competition.

You would think that running was the only thing she competed in, but during her middle school years, Rafaella was playing soccer as well. However, after running in a few meets, she came to the realization that she favored running more.

“My parents also told me that I could continue playing soccer if I wanted,” Rafaella said. “But they believed I had a higher potential in running.”

It’s a good thing that she listened to her parents when they urged her.  But knowing Rafaella, she’d probably excel in soccer as well.

When her middle school days came to an end, a then shy, but sweet Rafaella made her way to the girls’ team at Winter Park. Being a homegrown Winter Park kid, Rafaella fit right in. After being guided by her middle school coach at Glenridge, Tracy Nolen, and her father, Michael Gibbons, her transition was a smooth one with Winter Park's Coach McWilliams, and all she really had to do was change her uniform.

She had an incredible start to her high school career, shooting to the top of everyone’s watch list, and quite frankly, stayed there.

She opened up with her freshman debut at the Astronaut Invitational, winning the race in a time of 18:27.70. Since then, she’s always been at the top of her game.

Rafaella credits the girls on her team for her quick adjustment to the high school scene. It was because of them that she transitioned from a middle school competitor to a high school elite.

Winning the race at the FSU Pre-State XC Invitational last fall was just a preview of her performance on the same course later in the season. Winning the girls’ 4A state title with a time of 18:05.50, she went on to finish 6th at the Nike Cross Nationals Southeast Regional earning an automaitic bid to Nike Cross Nationals, solidifying herself as a runner not to be messed with.

Rafaella was subsequentally chosen as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Cross Country, a rare honor for a freshman.

“The sky is the limit for Rafey,” coach McWilliams told DyeStatFL. “I think Rafey can do anything she sets her mind to do!”

Clearly not one who lacks self-motivation, Rafaella doesn’t see limits. She only sees the finish line, and the road ahead.

Track saw Rafaella shine with the Winter Park girls again. However, Rafaella didn’t completely have the usual freshman experience, which involves being in the shadows most of the season. Rafaella explained that being who she was, there were times when she could feel the pressure from fans and fellow runners, all who would expect her to run a certain time, or to win her race.

Despite that, Rafaella did what she does best. She ran, and most of the time, won. McWilliams says that she’s never had an athlete who could handle pressure like she can.

“She thrives on big time competition and finds a way to win,” she said. “She looks at competition as an opportunity to run fast and push her to a good time.  Rafey does not panic or get rattled if she is behind in a race, she is patient and confident and gives 100 percent every time.”  

McWilliams says that Rafaella’s demeanor reminds her of professional athletes who know they have done the training and are confident in their abilities without being cocky. More so, she reminds her a lot of Jenny Simpson, the Ovideo High prep and World Champion who was one of Florida's fiercest competitors, but also finds pure joy in running.

Showing off her skills again in Seminole territory at the FSU Relays, she won the 3,200-meter race with a devastating finishing kick, finishing in her PR time of 10:42.20 (DyeStat TFX FL#1, US #60). She placed sixth in the 1,600 running a PR of 5:02.97.

Most would think that she would put in her bid for the 1,600 and 3,200 State titles at the state meet, but she decided to choose a slightly different route. Instead, Rafaella ran anchor on Winter Park’s girls’ 4x800 relay, and ran the 3,200. With districts being no problem, she was again faced with the infamous Region of Death (4A Region-1).

Expecting to make it out, the 4x800 relay placed first (9:26.29) and Rafaella won the 3,200 in 10:53.32. On the bus to states, she showed Florida why she was one of the top freshmen in the state. The Winter Park girls won the 4A 4x800 title (9.19.61) to start the day off right, and ended with many great runs, including Rafaella’s state title run in the 3,200 (10:51.27).

Now with a little bit of a rest, Rafaella is ready to keep rolling.

“My plans are to go to Golden South and hopefully break five minutes there and also go to New Balance Nationals with my teammates to run the DMR and two mile.”

Now that she’s had a taste of both sports, and two individual state titles, Rafaella says that she likes cross country better than track. Having the opportunity to travel more, and having the sense of a closer team during cross country, she also likes the atmosphere in cross country more than in track.

In contrast to the single race of cross country, she likes the variation of different events in track, giving her more chances to race and run relays.

Ending her freshman year on such a high note, it’d be hard for anyone to not be satisfied with how it unfolded.

“I am so proud of her stellar freshman year and know she will continue to accomplish great things,” McWilliams says. “I am so excited for the many adventures at big time meets we will continue to share and the memories we will make together and with our team!”

Rafaella didn’t expect her year to go as well as it did. It only motivates her to continue growing as a runner, and as a person. Over the next few years, she looks to run at Foot Locker and make the cut for the Dream Mile. She may be young and already leading the pack, but she’s like an innovator who knows that there’s always room for improvement.

“I look to change the mentality that I have that if I don't win it's considered a bad race for me. I don't think like that at big races like NXN where I know I can't win. But in races where I know I have a chance in winning I do think like that. I feel like I need to put less pressure on myself because nobody around me makes me feel pressured.”

Any runner will tell you that a helpful thing to remember is that you can’t run by your feelings. They ultimately hinder you, placing a wall between you and your full potential. Rafaella knows this, and has broken past those walls of limitations before. She just has to remember to do what she always has, and will continue to do.

Run free.

Rafaella's TFX Stats LINK