Alston Love, a standout in the Class of 2028, is making waves in the track and field world. Ranked as the US #3 freshman in the 55m hurdles and US #7 in the 60m hurdles, Love has already earned All-American honors and has his sights set on even greater achievements. Running for the Severn Highsteppers (AAU) and Chesapeake Science Point Tigers (High School), he specializes in hurdling, the event where he naturally excels.
A Reluctant Yet Passionate Competitor
Despite his success, Love offers a refreshingly honest take on his relationship with track and field.
“In all honesty, I don’t necessarily ‘love’ track. There’s so much work put in just to be beat by someone with good genes or who has been participating for longer. But, I do enjoy the community. There’s a place for everyone to fit in and the amount of congratulations you get even when you underperform is very uplifting.”
Drawing Inspiration from the Greats
Love looks up to some of track and field’s most electrifying athletes, admiring their perseverance and comebacks.
“My track inspirations are Grant Holloway, Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, Quincy Wilson, and Trey Cunningham. I look up to these people because they’ve all had a moment where they were about to take over the world but fell short; despite their shortcomings, they all also came back and excelled.”
The Soundtrack to Success
Unlike many athletes who amp themselves up with high-energy music before a race, Love takes a different approach.
“Before a big meet, I listen to a lot of calming instrumentals. Something to relax my brain and clear my mind so I can perform as I want to. My go-to musician for this type of music is Piero Piccioni, and I tend to start with ‘Sensual,’ ‘A Starless Night (Remastered),’ or ‘Mexican Dream.'”
Eyes on the Prize: World Championships and the Olympics
Love envisions a bright future on the global stage.
“I see myself in the Olympics and World Championships when it comes to my profession. I hope to become a World Champion and Olympic medalist one day.”
Beyond the Track
While track dominates his life, Love has a few other interests, though he remains laser-focused on his sport.
“I don’t have many interests outside of track. I enjoy reading, running, listening to music, regular teenage activities, but I wouldn’t necessarily refer to those as interests. Track is my true passion.”
Favorite Olympic Events
As a student of the sport, Love enjoys watching a variety of Olympic events.
“I do watch the Olympics. My favorite events to watch are the 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, 400m, 200m, triple jump, and 100m.”
More Than Just Speed
For Love, racing is about more than just raw speed; it’s a test of mental and physical fortitude.
“Speed is not the only thing that matters when racing. You need to have discipline, technique, motivation, and will. You can line up next to the fastest person in the world, but if they don’t want it as bad as you do, you then have a higher chance of winning. You need confidence and belief—confidence that you will win, and belief that you will succeed.”
Track as a Training Ground for Football
Love also acknowledges the benefits of track for multi-sport athletes, particularly those preparing for football season.
“Spring track is a good way to prepare for football in the fall because it keeps you active in the offseason and will help you build speed. Winter track is also a great way to prepare because it gives you the option of going straight into speed training. It also helps increase your lung capacity and can help you perfect your breathing.”
The Balancing Act of a Student-Athlete
With rigorous academic and athletic commitments, Love understands the importance of time management.
“Time management is everything to me as a student-athlete. I can’t let my grades slip, as that affects me on the track as well. Making sure I set aside time for homework and to study is crucial so I can maintain the privilege of running track. Grades are heavily emphasized on both track teams I run for.”
Inspired by Resilience Across Sports
Beyond track, Love finds motivation from athletes in other sports who have faced adversity and emerged stronger.
“My inspirations from other sports are Damar Hamlin, Lamar Jackson, Zay Flowers, and Allen Iverson. They’ve all faced adversity on many different levels and bounced back from it better than they were before.”
A Future Built on Determination
With a clear vision and relentless drive, Alston Love is on a mission to leave his mark in the world of track and field. From his honest perspective on the sport to his ambitious Olympic dreams, his journey is just beginning—but the foundation for greatness is already in place.
