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Rashni Walker built a reputation as an exceptional track performer for years at Ellwood Christian Academy.

Walker took those skills at Northridge High School, leading the Lady Rams to the Class 6A Outdoor and Indoor Track championships this season.

The junior won the 100-meter and 300-meter Hurdles State Championships. She won the 60-meter hurdles and long jump indoor state championships.

This week, the Selma native won the AHSAA heptathlon and set a new hurdles record.

Walker, the 2021 Tuscaloosa Hannah Cunliffe Track and Field Athlete of the Year, said it was great to perform after a year off. Spring sports were canceled by the AHSAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It felt really good to go out this year and be able to compete this outdoor season, especially state because last year at this time everything was shut down,” Walker said.

“I was shut up in the house due to the Pandemic that struck the world. A lot of athletes weren’t able to Compete their Senior Season including my brother, Malachi Walker, because of the Pandemic. It was truly a blessing to be able to compete this year.”

Walker said breaking the 100-mter high hurdle record held by Hoover’s Brittley Humphrey, an All-American at LSU, is a huge deal. She also admires former Hoover star Caitlyn Little, now at South Carolina.

“I worked so hard to pattern myself after Brittley, because she is such a great hurdler,” Walker said. “She’s very sound, technical, inspirational and hard working. 

“I work so hard just to try and get close to being a great hurdler like her and Caitlyn Little. It was truly a blessing from God to accomplish that.”

When ECA canceled spring sports because of the coronavirus, Walker resumed her exceptional track career in Tuscaloosa County.

At ECA, Walker was coached by her father, Jeffrey Walker.

Walker won the Class 1A girls 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles several times during her career as a Lady Eagle.