Natalie Dumas: A Rising Star in Track and Field

Natalie Dumas has made quite an impact in the track world, drawing comparisons to the likes of Kobe Bryant, as well as Olympic stars.

What started as a way to bond with her sister Cadence before she graduated from Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees, New Jersey, turned into something much bigger for Dumas.

“I got into track not really thinking I would stick with it all four years of high school,” Dumas shared. “But as I saw my times getting better, I became curious about how fast I could actually run.”

And it’s safe to say she has indeed run faster.

During her junior year, Dumas broke several records previously held by New Jersey legends.

The 17-year-old sprinted to three national titles at the New Balance National Championships in June, clinching first place in the 400-meter, 400-meter hurdles, and 800-meter events, all while setting new records.

She ran a stunning 51.14 seconds in the 400-meter, officially breaking her own state record and tying with four-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

“A lot of people compare me to Sydney McLaughlin,” Dumas noted. “I see her more as a competitor than a comparison.”

Dumas understands that McLaughlin, now 26 and a world record holder, probably doesn’t view high school athletes in the same way, yet it’s that kind of fearlessness that sets Dumas apart in her early track career.

“Honestly, I’m not afraid to lose… I get motivated by my peers,” she continued. “When I’m out there, I think, ‘I don’t want to lose this race,’ so I give it my all.”

That determination was evident in her record-setting 400-meter race, where she collapsed right after crossing the finish line.

“My legs were so tired; I literally thought I couldn’t finish. I had never run that fast before,” she described. “I was just so exhausted that my legs gave out, and I fell at the line.”

On top of her historic 400-meter finish, she also completed the 800-meter run in 2:00.11, marking her as the first girl in U.S. high school history to clock sub-52 for 400 meters, sub-56 for 400 hurdles, and sub-2:01 for the 800 meters.

Her 800-meter time surpassed records set by two-time Olympic athlete Ajeé Wilson in New Jersey back in 2011.

Dumas has caught the eyes of many, and she still has room to grow before she reaches her potential.

“It’s really hard to find an athlete who can train with me,” she admitted. “It’s tough to find teammates who can keep up with my pace.”

To make up for it, she even trains with her parents.

“She jokes about how I’m not working that hard,” her father, Robert, mentioned. “Just a couple of weeks ago, we were training in the rain. It’s clear she’s putting in the effort, and that’s what separates mental stamina from physical strain.”

Physical training keeps her in shape, but Robert observes that her approach also leans into the spiritual aspect of the sport.

“I keep sending her Kobe Bryant videos; that mentality really resonates with me,” he said. “She’ll adapt her training as needed. Every tenth of a second matters in competitions, and that extra effort can make all the difference.”

Dumas recently shared on Instagram that she has narrowed her college options down to Arkansas, Miami, Florida, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Duke, and South Carolina.

But her aspirations reach even further.

“I definitely want to go professional,” she insisted. “I aim to reach the next level and hope to compete at the Olympics one day.”