Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Isa Looking for Another Win as MT Career Nears End
4/29/2021 11:01:00 AM | Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — When senior Esther Isa decided to transfer to Middle Tennessee to compete as a high jumper for legendary coach Dean Hayes, it was really for two reasons.
She heard the campus was nice from her sister, Loveth Odia, who competed for the Blue Raiders from 2014-17 as a 400-meter runner, but that wasn't what did it. What really got Isa to Murfreesboro was the chance to win consistently on the biggest collegiate stages and set records.
"[Odia] told me that it was a really good school and that I would love it here … and Coach Hayes contacted me and told me he wanted me at Middle Tennessee," Isa said. "I love to win, and I wanted to come here to win and break records."
Isa, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, has been a consistent winner in her short time at MT.
She transferred from Lagos State University in Nigeria prior to the 2020 season and started strong before the season was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her first meet as a Blue Raider at the Green and Gold Invitational in January, she finished second in the high jump with a 1.66-meter leap, then went even higher a week later at the Indiana University Relays, a season-best 1.78 meters.
Isa captured an indoor Conference USA title in the high jump (1.76 meters) in late February and also tried out the triple jump for the first time in competition, clearing a respectable 11.76 meters.
It was just the start of what was to come.
"She's a really hard worker and is competitive," Hayes said. "The ones who work hard like her are the ones who usually make something of themselves."
The 2021 indoor season started exactly how the previous year ended for Isa.
She captured the high jump gold at the Music City Challenge with another 1.78-meter leap, earning her first C-USA Field Athlete of the Week award. Then, she defended her title at the C-USA Indoor Championships in the high jump (1.78 meters) and made it a double-gold effort with a win in the triple jump (13.09 meters).
Isa was named the Female Field Performer of the Meet at the conference championships.
"Knowing what her record was when she was in Africa, I'm not surprised at that. My surprise for her has been how well she's done in the triple jump," Hayes said. "She's really done a good job. She's easy to work with, and that makes it fun."
Isa's strong performance in the indoor season carried over to the start of outdoor, as she won double gold again at both the Hilltopper Relays and Tennessee Relays before setting a personal best with a 1.85-meter high jump in a win at the War Eagle Invitational.
She also won the triple jump at the Clark Wood Invitational last weekend in her final tune up before the C-USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which Middle Tennessee is hosting May 13-16.
Though she's done plenty of winning for the Blue Raiders — 13 times total in the high jump and triple jump, including eight straight victories in the high jump — Isa has more on her mind for the C-USA meet.
"I want to let the beast out of me," she said. "It's a big meet, it's conference, and everyone wants to win. It's just all in the heart, hard work, consistency, dedication — that all matters."
Though her short time at Middle Tennessee is nearing its end, Isa has plans to keep jumping and trying her hand at competing professionally. She's also graduating with a degree in athletic training, which she hopes to turn into a career.
"I'll keep high jumping until I cannot high jump anymore," she said. "It's always just a work in progress. … There are always ways you can improve, and I want to retire knowing I reached the top of my ability."
There's one major meet left in her MT career, though, and it's in front of her home fans. Hopefully that means records will fall.
"Winning is fun, but it's more fun when you win and break records," Isa said.
She heard the campus was nice from her sister, Loveth Odia, who competed for the Blue Raiders from 2014-17 as a 400-meter runner, but that wasn't what did it. What really got Isa to Murfreesboro was the chance to win consistently on the biggest collegiate stages and set records.
"[Odia] told me that it was a really good school and that I would love it here … and Coach Hayes contacted me and told me he wanted me at Middle Tennessee," Isa said. "I love to win, and I wanted to come here to win and break records."
Isa, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, has been a consistent winner in her short time at MT.
She transferred from Lagos State University in Nigeria prior to the 2020 season and started strong before the season was ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her first meet as a Blue Raider at the Green and Gold Invitational in January, she finished second in the high jump with a 1.66-meter leap, then went even higher a week later at the Indiana University Relays, a season-best 1.78 meters.
Isa captured an indoor Conference USA title in the high jump (1.76 meters) in late February and also tried out the triple jump for the first time in competition, clearing a respectable 11.76 meters.
It was just the start of what was to come.
"She's a really hard worker and is competitive," Hayes said. "The ones who work hard like her are the ones who usually make something of themselves."
The 2021 indoor season started exactly how the previous year ended for Isa.
She captured the high jump gold at the Music City Challenge with another 1.78-meter leap, earning her first C-USA Field Athlete of the Week award. Then, she defended her title at the C-USA Indoor Championships in the high jump (1.78 meters) and made it a double-gold effort with a win in the triple jump (13.09 meters).
Isa was named the Female Field Performer of the Meet at the conference championships.
"Knowing what her record was when she was in Africa, I'm not surprised at that. My surprise for her has been how well she's done in the triple jump," Hayes said. "She's really done a good job. She's easy to work with, and that makes it fun."
Isa's strong performance in the indoor season carried over to the start of outdoor, as she won double gold again at both the Hilltopper Relays and Tennessee Relays before setting a personal best with a 1.85-meter high jump in a win at the War Eagle Invitational.
She also won the triple jump at the Clark Wood Invitational last weekend in her final tune up before the C-USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which Middle Tennessee is hosting May 13-16.
Though she's done plenty of winning for the Blue Raiders — 13 times total in the high jump and triple jump, including eight straight victories in the high jump — Isa has more on her mind for the C-USA meet.
"I want to let the beast out of me," she said. "It's a big meet, it's conference, and everyone wants to win. It's just all in the heart, hard work, consistency, dedication — that all matters."
Though her short time at Middle Tennessee is nearing its end, Isa has plans to keep jumping and trying her hand at competing professionally. She's also graduating with a degree in athletic training, which she hopes to turn into a career.
"I'll keep high jumping until I cannot high jump anymore," she said. "It's always just a work in progress. … There are always ways you can improve, and I want to retire knowing I reached the top of my ability."
There's one major meet left in her MT career, though, and it's in front of her home fans. Hopefully that means records will fall.
"Winning is fun, but it's more fun when you win and break records," Isa said.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
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