Games People Play: Cape May’s Avery White Excels Beyond Her Years

Avery White is a very cordial and pleasant eighth grader at Richard M. Teitelman Middle School, but don’t mistake that kindness and polite demeanor for a lack of competitiveness. In the midst of an 800-meter race last year, the Cape May resident suffered an asthma attack, but she kept on running with enough effort to garner second place. That runner-up performance would be the only time she would not finish first in her two years of competition for Teitelman.
This season she completed the track season undefeated in the 400 meters, going 7-0 in the one lap, quarter-mile event.
“Avery ran the 400 meter for us this year, which is a difficult race because it’s not quite a sprint and not really a distance run,” said her coach, Tara Samaniego. “She is able to maintain the quick pace of a sprint for the entire quarter mile, which is why she is so successful.”
The daughter of Robert and Brandy White, Avery is a tremendously well-rounded high-honor student with supreme talents in sailing and art. White, who attends school in St. Croix during the winter, was recently commissioned to create a new logo for “Cheeseburgers in Paradise,” an eatery in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The work was so impressive, she was asked to expand it into a six-by-nine-foot mural.
“The restaurant owner saw my artwork and asked if I would design a new logo for her,” said White. “I got the idea for the logo from the photo of an old van I saw on the Internet. I thought it was pretty cool so I drew one for myself and made it more colorful. I’ve been drawing and painting since I was young. I consider it more of a passion than a hobby. When I’m older I hope to have a job where I can create.”
Locally, her writing earned her third place in a state-wide essay contest sponsored by The Daughters of the American Revolution.”
She was also recognized for a local drawing with the theme of “What the Coast Guard Means to our Community.”
The 14-year-old is a junior member of the Corinthian Yacht Club and has sailed for six years. Her service to the club garnered her recognition as “The Most Dedicated Junior Member.”
“I’ve been sailing since I was eight and it’s something I really enjoy,” said White. “There is no better feeling than being out on the water. It is the most challenging sport I take part in and it teaches me a lot about perseverance, patience and following the rules. Plus it’s extremely fun.”
White took to track after competing in a triathlon in elementary school.
“I like to jog for exercise and I walk a lot with my mom,” she said. “I liked competitive running in gym class so my teacher suggested I give spring track a try.”
White participated in the challenging swimming, running and biking event in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, winning the event in her final try. It was then that she realized how much she enjoyed competitive running.
Coach Samaniego noted the progress White made from seventh to eighth grade. “I think the area she improved upon most was her self-confidence,” said Samaniego. “Last year she was always nervous at the beginning of a race and she would hold back at the start. This year she had the confidence in her ability that allowed her to run the races without hesitation.”
White credits her parents with allowing her to try things that she expresses interest in.
“The key is sticking it out and enjoying it no matter what the activity,” she said. “I was hesitant on the shorter runs because in seventh grade I had the asthma incident, but I got over it and decided to go for the 400. I tried it once and liked it. I had been doing the longer runs like the mile and the 800.”
What made her so successful in the 400? “Stretching not only makes you limber but its very relaxing,” she advised. “You shouldn’t drink too much water because that could lead to cramps. When the race starts, you never, never, run really fast or you will zap your energy. You need that push for the last 100 meters. That allows you to stay consistent until the end when you need more.”
The coach says White combines natural ability and devotion. “I think Avery’s success is a combination of natural talent and hard work,” said Samaniego. “She has a natural stride which is difficult to teach and she works hard to improve. She is truly a student who leads by example. The most important thing about Avery is that her outstanding athletic ability is only a small part of what makes her so fantastic. She shows an impressive amount of maturity and poise for her age.”
The warm weather of her offseason home allows her to run and practice year-round. She also competes in track in St. Croix. She looks forward to being a member of the Lower Cape May Regional High School fall sailing team and the spring track squad.
“Avery is very sweet, kind, polite, well-spoken young lady, which is why her level of competitiveness is surprising,” added Samaniego. “She is completely humble and modest about her many accomplishments, but make no mistake. She does not like to lose.”