Commonality between 16 - year - old Wagner H.S. girls' track star and her aged 42 cross country coach?

Both having toddlers makes it swapping mommy advice.


Adapted and edited from reporter Bryan Chu and photographer Kin Man Hui's Special to the Express News, titled "Student athlete, student - mommy." Wednesday, March 25, 2009. SPORTS section.

"As a 16 - year - old freshman at Wagner, Bryanna Rosa Mills has a lot more responsibilities than most teens her age.

"For what seemed like the longest time, Mills said, she woke up at 3 a.m. to the squirming, gurgling and whimpering of Kemari, Mills' 1 year - old son.

"A lot has changed since then -- Kemari is growing up.

"And so is his mom.

"She competes in the 200 - meter dash and as part of the 400 - meter relay team on the Wagner H.S. junior varsity.

"Mills' participation in sports stunned Wagner cross country coach Ruby de la Garza.

"[S]aid de la Garza, 42, who has a son Mills' age and a 1 - year - old daughter, I didn't think she was serious. But I told her it's still possible. It's just another obstacle.

"[Mills] soon found out, however, how quickly her tasks stacked up.

"Running.

"Homework.

"Laundry.

"Cooking.

"Cleaning.

"Kemari.

"Mills said, It's not easy, I don't go anywhere anymore.

Yet, in spite of all the above, even Coach de la Garza "admits she swaps mommy advice with Mills...."

A good, all around SPORTS' story ! :)