Fostoria track star heads to nationals

An eighth-grader from Fostoria is a rising track star, prepping to compete at a state meet in Logan and a nationals event in Virginia later this month. Addison Wright, 12, started training in track last year under her godfather, Dakel Patterson, and his club, PUSH Athletics. She trains with PUSH Athletics as one of the youngest runners, along with other high school runners, including her older brother. "I noticed I was really fast when I played soccer," Addison said. Since starting track in seventh grade, Patterson says he's been watching her drop times and even set new personal records, which Addison tries breaking each time she runs. "I'm very proud of her," Patterson said. "The sky's the limit for her." Addison runs in a variety of events, but her favorite is the 200 meter, which is a half-lap around the track. She also runs the 400 meter, or one lap, which her godfather pushes her to like. "It gets you better," Addison said about training, which happens five days a week at the University of Findlay's indoor track. With a state meet next weekend and nationals later this month, Addison said she wants to set better records for herself and eventually race in the Olympics. Addison said she wants to be like her favorite track and field sprinter, Sha'Carri Richardson. Richardson's best for a 200 meter dash is 22 seconds. Addison's best time for the same event is 27.42 seconds. "She'll be faster than Richardson," Patterson said. Addison has been playing sports since she was three years old, when she was introduced to soccer. In addition to track, she has also added gymnastics and volleyball. When Addison competes, she's running against high school girls. "She's amazing to me," Addison's mother, Andrea Visgak, said. "It's not about coming in first; it's about setting records. Even if she comes in third, she's still amazing." Nationals will be hosted in Virginia Beach from March 15 until March 20, where Addison will run in three events; the 60, 200 and 400 meters. But, since this is not a school sponsored event, her mother cannot afford the trip. "Addison wowed us all in her ability to challenge and push herself against the older kids," Visgak wrote. "She proved herself enough to head to nationals." A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with gas, food, the hotel and entry fees for the meet, saying it would be a "dream come true" for Addison to race. Addison is just one of a number of runners qualified for track but unable to afford it. Patterson said the GoFundMe gives at least one athlete a chance to race. So far, the community has donated over $3,800 of a $5,000 goal for the trip. "It feels like everyone has my back," Addison said. Donations can be made to Addison's trip at gofundme.com/f/addison-go-to-nationals-in-va