On Monday, Pleasantville High School graduate Nia Ali who chosen to represent the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico from Oct. 24-29.
Ali was picked to run the 100-meter high hurdles. As a member of the University of Southern California, Ali won the NCAA title in June with a wind-aided personal record 12.63 seconds.
Since then, Ali has traveled the world competing in the track events.
In August, she won the 100 hurdles at the World University Games in China recording the only sub-13.00 of the event. She did it twice in the semifinals (12.79) and final (12.85).
According to the USC website, Ali is a practicing Muslim and observed Ramadan that day not eating during the daylight hours. She still pulled out the victory despite fasting.
"I'm so happy," Ali said at the time. "I'm starving but will be able to eat tonight."
However, Ali suffered an undisclosed injury this weekend at the Notturna di Milano International Meeting in Milan, Italy, reports indicated. She pulled up in the hurdles competition.
