Sure, track and field phenom Tierra Crockrell may be a world record-breaking athlete at the ripe old age of 9, but, much like many others her age, she watches cartoons on the weekends (when her rigorous training schedule allows it) and says Disney World is her favorite place on earth (she squeezed it in during a 2009 national track and field championship in Orlando).

That’s right, the little girl who says “Second place is not an option” is just like any other 9-year-old, albeit with a few world records in her back pocket and several medals around her neck.

The University Place athlete, entering fourth grade this year, trains with two elite track and field clubs in Seattle, coached by Seattle Speed track club founder Michael Cunliffe, and Seatown Express founder and former NFL star Eric Metcalf.

Most of Crockrell’s teammates are at least 10 or 11, and some are in middle and high school. “Her long jump is far enough for her to train with these older kids,” Tierra’s father, Pierre Crockrell, said proudly.

In fact, the young track star holds the world record in the long jump with 13 feet, 9 inches.

This event is by far her favorite – possibly because it was Pierre’s event of choice, as well. Tierra says it was her father who introduced her to the sport in the first place. “When I was a little girl, my dad thought track was a good sport, because when he was little, he did track, too,” she said. “My favorite event has always been the long jump because it’s so much fun to do.”

Although she admits she is always disappointed with anything but first place, Crockrell does her best to let the disappointment roll off her shoulders before moving on to the next event. Prior to any attempt she shakes her arms and tells herself she is going to win.

“I always do the best job that I can,” she says.

Crockrell trains for two hours, three days a week with her teams in Seattle and plans on breaking many more world records in the future.

Even though competing on a national level often takes time away from school, she remains a strong student whose favorite subjects are art and math.

“We’re pretty strict about her school work,” Pierre says.  “Her grandmother has spent 40 years in the school district as a science teacher, so education is very important to us. The teachers have been very supportive in gathering her school work in advance if she needs to go out of town for a few days.”

The young track star may quietly rave about the opportunity to miss school occasionally, but “she knows that school comes first,” her father adds. “Tierra’s mom is pretty strict, so she has always been a very good student.”

Although she has no plans to quit track and field any time soon, Crockrell also enjoys playing volleyball and basketball – a sport she regularly plays with older brother Pierre, Jr. “He won our game last night, but only because I quit early,” she says.

Athletic prowess must run in the Crockrell genes, as Pierre Jr. was recently rated the No. 18 point guard in the nation. “He’s doing really, really well this year,” added the elder Crockrell. “He was also third in the nation in the high jump last year.”

When the Crockrell siblings are not making their mark on the sports world, they can often be found breaking records in various computer and video games. “My favorite computer game is Club Penguin,” she says.

In her free time, Crockrell also enjoys spending time swimming, playing with her coaches’ daughters and helping her grandmother in the garden.

Next on her list of goals is an attempt to step into the spotlight in front of the cameras. Crockrell is currently in talks with Nickelodeon to develop a television show where she interviews other young athletes around the country. “I think it would be fun to be on TV, and I’ve practiced with my dad a lot,” she adds.

With a newly acquired talent agent based in Los Angeles representing her, many things may be changing for the young athlete. “This agent handles a lot of entertainers, and is marketing Tierra really well,” Pierre says. “We’re very excited to see what happens next.”