After a season full of injuries, Alaina Diaz wasn’t sure to expect at the Puerto Rican nationals.
Knee injuries had hampered the Grand Valley State All-American from Hudsonville, but this trip was about more than results.
Every time Diaz competes in Puerto Rico, she gets more familiar with the atmosphere, competitors, officials – and the heat – as her goal of qualifying for the Olympics in 2028 continues.
Diaz was able to perform well enough in the long jump to earn her first Puerto Rican medal, a huge step in her career.
She took third in the long jump (5.92 meters, 19 feet, 5 inches) to earn her first podium finish for Puerto Rico.
“It was really good. It was really hot and humid, so I definitely had to adjust to that,” Diaz said. “I got third place and I was able to get a medal for the first time, and get recognized there for a little bit.”
Diaz, a perennial All-American and NCAA title threat, was named GLIAC Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. But knee injuries halted her chance at a title during outdoor nationals.
Injuries kept her from competing in the 200 meters in Puerto Rico as well. She plans to rest most of the summer to get ready for her final NCAA indoor season at GVSU.
“I ended up not running because of my hamstring and my ankle. I tweaked my ankle at NCAAs,” she said. “It was the hardest decision I had to make in a while but I knew it was the best decision for me and what is coming up. I have more years to compete in this meet.”
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: How GVSU’s Alaina Diaz fought through injuries for first Puerto Rican medal
