A PASSION THAT STARTED IN THE STANDS

For Zhoe Holt, her journey in track and field began at the track meet, watching her older sister, Zaria, compete.

“Honestly, it started with me sitting at track meets, watching my older sister Zaria run,” Zhoe says. “I tried to practice with her several times, but I couldn’t get past how hard it was. Then one day, Coach Carlie and my dad finally convinced me to start running.”

That moment changed everything. What started as curiosity quickly turned into a passion, and now Zhoe is one of Charlotte’s top young sprinters with a bright future ahead.

A BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Zhoe’s proudest accomplishment so far is running an 11.25 in the 100 meters.

“What makes it special is the preparation. I put in the work beforehand, and even though I had no idea what my time would be, my body felt completely ready when it counted.”

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Zhoe’s success comes from a structured and disciplined routine.

“A typical training day starts with breakfast and school, where I focus on my classes. I eat healthy snacks and drink plenty of water throughout the day, and I make sure to have lunch to stay fueled. After school, I practice with Coach Collins, then train with Coach Xavier. When I get home, I have dinner and do my recovery, and then I get up and do it all over again.”

OVERCOMING A MAJOR SETBACK

One of the biggest challenges in Zhoe’s athletic journey was a hamstring injury that became a mental blocker.

“It was a major mental blocker at first, but my family, coaches, and teammates supported me every step of the way. Through recovery, I learned to listen to my body, avoid overdoing it, and prioritize my mental health as much as my physical health. That experience made me a smarter and more resilient athlete.”

BALANCING IT ALL

Zhoe keeps school, training, competitions, and her personal life in balance by making academics her top priority.

“I make sure schoolwork is done before anything else. I use my calendar to plan my week, which helps me stay on top of school, training, and competitions. My parents help by getting me to and from practice every day. They also let me be a kid and hang out with friends in my free time, and I keep it small so I stay balanced.”

A STRONG SUPPORT SYSTEM

Zhoe credits her older sister, Zaria, as the biggest influence on her development.

“Without seeing her love for the sport, I never would have thought about running. She is always in my corner when I hit the track, and she’s the loudest one there cheering me on. I can’t thank her enough.”

Her parents, AAU coach Will, and high school coach Collins have also played a major role, pushing her through the grit-and-grind workouts and helping her grow both on and off the track.

FOCUSED WHEN IT COUNTS

When Zhoe steps onto the track for a major competition, her mindset is clear.

“I focus on a clean start, a strong drive, and finishing through the line, because in a sprint there’s no time to overthink. I trust my training, run my race, and then get off the track as fast as I can.”

BIG GOALS AHEAD

Zhoe’s goals for the upcoming season are to win both indoor and outdoor titles with her team at Bradford Prep and to set a new personal record. Her NIL deal with New Balance is helping shape the athlete she is becoming.

“I’m so grateful to NB for believing in me. After high school, I hope to run on the collegiate level and, one day, compete in the Olympics.”

ADVICE FOR YOUNG GIRLS

Zhoe wants young girls in Charlotte to know that they can do it, no matter the obstacles.

“Never give up and always believe in yourselves. I started out struggling just to get through practice, and I’ve faced setbacks like injury, but perseverance carried me through. If you keep showing up and trust yourself, there’s no limit to what you can do.”

A DISCIPLINED AND GROUNDED YOUNG LADY

When asked to describe herself, Zhoe says,

“I would describe myself as a disciplined and grounded young lady. I stay focused on my goals and put in the work, but I never forget where I come from or the people who helped me get here.”

FEATURED PULL QUOTE

“If you keep showing up and trust yourself, there’s no limit to what you can do.”