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by CHARLENE RHINEHART June 26, 2021 ------------------------- Student athlete Mikaila Martin became a mom at 21-years-old but that didn’t stop her from living her dreams as a collegiate

track and field star. It became her motivation. Martin, who’s now a 24-year-old graduate student, competed in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. The event was held on Thursday in

Eugene, Oregon. Among her team of supporters was her 3-year-old daughter, Camryn, cheering her on to the finish line. “It was moments when I thought I was not going to make it,” Martin

shared in a video uploaded by _KPRC 2_′s sports reporter Vanessa Richardson_. “_Who can juggle a child, track, and school at the same time? But I think I made it work pretty well. I want to

be an example for my child in the future. I want her to see that even though I was pregnant, I still did it’.” HOW THIS STUDENT AND MOM BECAME A TOP TRACK ATHLETE Martin was enjoying a

standout track and field season at the University of Houston when she discovered she was pregnant. She initially thought that her pregnancy meant the end of her collegiate career. However,

watching tennis star Serena Williams continue her dreams after having a baby kept her motivated. “I was a junior in college when I gave birth and was on a scholarship for athletics,” Martin

shared with _Good Morning America_. “A part of me was worried about it.” At 21-years-old, Martin paused her athletic career to take care of her child. But after one season away from the

game, she was ready to get back on the field and dominate. With the help of her family and coaches, Martin was able to attend school, participate in track training, and work a job. Although

the pandemic posed a greater challenge, Martin still managed to be productive. “I would find a nearby park and let her play and then put her in the wagon while I did some training,” said

Martin. “During the pandemic, it was really, really a struggle.” Martin’s created a paper schedule that has allowed her to map her time and maximize different aspects of her life. She wakes

up at 6am, takes her daughter to camp, and then conquers a full day of track and school. Although Martin’s schedule is very demanding, her hard work has paid off. Earlier this month, Martin

finished 12th in the Hammer Throw at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships. That was her ticket to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. She became the first woman from the University

of Houston to earn All-American honors in the Hammer Throw, according to_ Good Morning America_. FUTURE PLANS Martin is on track to graduate in May 2022. She’s currently pursuing a graduate

degree in human resources. After graduation, she plans to go pro. One of the best parts of Martin’s journey is that she doesn’t have to make it to the finish line on her own. Will Blackburn

is an Associate Head Coach for the University of Houston Cougar Track & Field program. He’s supported Martin’s work ever since she’s stepped onto the college field. “When we found out

she was pregnant, on our side, nothing changed,” _Good Morning America_ reported. “We thought, ‘Let’s go on, let’s go after your goals and aspirations.'” > Mikaila Martin closes out 

the #TrackFieldTrials21 with a toss of > 62.48m (205-0)! >  > We’re extremely proud of everything that Mikaila Martin has > accomplished in her time at UH and can’t wait to see 

what is in > store for her!#HTownSpeedCity pic.twitter.com/tJtqSr5e3l >  > — #HTownSpeedCity (@UHCougarTF) June 25, 2021 “In the beginning, I thought, I’m not the same athlete I

used to be,” says Martin. “But I learned to work with my body. Once I did that, that’s when things started to come into play. And you really are more focused as a mom. Before Camryn, I used

to be so nervous at track meets. I would shake. Now, I’m so in the zone and focused and I never used to feel like that.”