TOWSON, Md. – Naja McAdam will be easy to locate during the 15th Annual Morgan State Legacy Meet at Hughes Stadium this weekend.
 
She'll be the 5-foot-8-inch senior blur with flying braids running, jumping, throwing and talking with anybody who comes near her path throughout the meet. McAdam will compete in the heptathlon, a seven-event mental grind over two days.
 
An early childhood and special education major, McAdam will compete in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200-meter dash on Friday and conclude the event with the long jump, javelin and 800-meter run on Saturday.
 
"The 800 feels like five events in one," McAdams said with a light laugh. "Running the 800 is mental. Even though it's two laps and less than three minutes, it's a long three minutes. When you start first event, which is the hurdles, it's quick and really exciting."
 
The affable McAdam is still a relative novice to competing in the heptathlon.
 
This will be the second time in her life that she will participate in this event during an outdoor meet. She'll always remember her first time: Last year's Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championships.
 
Nothing like being thrown into the savage cauldron of a grueling mix of events designed to wilt the strongest-willed athlete on track's biggest stage.
 
"I was surprised, nervous and excited because I was going to get to try everything," McAdam said. "(Towson head track and field coach Mike Jackson) felt I wasn't reaching my full potential and that I could do more. That's when we decided to try it. I finished eighth and got one point. I didn't want to let anybody down and didn't want my body to fall apart. Afterwards, I learned that I can handle more than I thought I could."
 
McAdam, who is a role model for work ethic, commitment and determination, turned that moment into a message.
 
Currently working as an intern at Mays Chapel Elementary School every Wednesday and Thursday, McAdam inspires her students by bringing lessons from the track into the classroom. Whether it's using a tape measure during a math lesson or teaching the kids how to persevere through tough times especially during difficult subjects, McAdam lives by the philosophy "it takes a big heart to shape little minds."
 
Family is a huge core value for McAdam, who started running track seriously once her parents started coaching at the Clarksburg (Md.) Sports Association. Not only were her parents coaching her, but her younger siblings were present as well. Her brother Daequan played basketball and her sister played soccer. McAdam considered it a "family bonding experience."
 
She enjoyed a decorated high school career at Clarksburg as she helped the Coyotes win indoor and outdoor county, region and state meets. McAdam was also a two-time county, regional champion and a state champion high jumper.
 
Away from the track, McAdam loves watching "Bob's Burgers" and "Family Guy."
 
Last week, McAdam enjoyed a personal record performance in winning the long jump at the Hopkins/Loyola Invitational. Her overall excellence and versatility is one reason why the Tigers are ranked seventh in the latest United States Track & Field Cross-Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) Mid-Atlantic Regional Track and Field Index.
 
While she enjoys competing and is anticipating finishing her Towson career with a bang, McAdam has a special place in her heart for children.
 
They are her why.
 
"Kids mean the world to me," McAdam said. "They're all so different and every time I talk to another kid, I learn something. Plus they're always so positive. I want to teach first grade and have my own independent day care or school for kids with special needs. Knowing that I can make a difference in any child's life is a special feeling."
 
ABOUT THE LEGACY MEET: This year's Legacy Meet will honor the MSU track and field classes of 1991-95. The meet gets underway on Friday at noon with the decathlon and heptathlon along with the men's and women's javelin and hammer throw. The running events get started around 3 p.m. with the women's and men's steeplechase. Saturday starts with the conclusion of the decathlon and heptathlon at 9:30 a.m., followed by the start of the rest of the field events at 10 a.m. with the discus, high jump, pole vault, long jump, shot put and triple jump. The first running event of the day begins at 10 a.m. with the women's 400 hurdles.
 
NOTES: Kylie Anicic, Olivia Janke, Abby Gauthier and Paige Keefer will run at Princeton this weekend.
 
UP NEXT: The Tigers will compete in the Penn Relays at Franklin Field in Philadelphia beginning on Thursday, April 25.