Graduation

Nugent, who joined the University of Arkansas in January 2023 after two seasons at Baylor University, remained committed to her studies even after signing a professional contract. In an Instagram post celebrating her achievement, Nugent expressed heartfelt gratitude to her mother and shared a message of inspiration.

“No one hustles harder than a first-gen who is paving the way," Nugent wrote. "You will succeed in all you do, and light will shine on your path."

Acknowledging her mother's sacrifices and unwavering support, Nugent continued, "Your selfless love and sacrifices have shaped me into the person I am today. There are no words to fully repay you for all that you have done, but I promise to do everything in my power to ensure that you live a wonderful and fulfilling life ahead."

Nugent's journey to graduation comes on the heels of her outstanding performance at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2023, where she blazed through the 100m hurdles to claim victory in 12.25 seconds. Reflecting on her championship win, Nugent credited her coach's guidance and expressed satisfaction with her performance.

"It feels amazing to know that I've just got to trust my coach, and I follow instruction very, very well," Nugent said back then. "To be able to follow those instructions and see the time, I feel very pleased."

Despite her academic success, Nugent made the strategic decision to turn professional in track and field, aiming to pursue her athletic dreams to the fullest while maintaining her dedication to education.

"I'm staying in school because I feel like getting my degree is very important," Nugent explained during an exclusive interview with Sportsmax.TV.

By going professional, Nugent is poised to embark on a new chapter in her athletic career, leveraging her talent and determination to excel at the highest levels of competition.

 At 4 pm Eastern, the 18-year-old Jamaican track star will participate in the graduation ceremony at Northeastern High, her final act as a student there before moving on to college to study communication.

Her time in high school was memorable. It was in early March 2018, that she gained national attention in Jamaica when became the fastest 15-year-old girl in history over 100 metres mere weeks before her 16^th birthday.

Over the next two years, she would go on to win six Carifta Games gold medals, two Austin Sealy Awards, two World U20 gold medals, a Pan Am U20 100m gold medal, and a NACAC U18 100m gold medal while representing the country of her mother’s birth. She also set a new national U20 record along the way.

Briana was not only a superb athlete she was also a good student who enjoyed the camaraderie of her schoolmates and the respect of her teachers.

“It feels great to complete high school. I will miss all the fun moments I had in high school, especially with my friends and teacher,” she said, explaining that she will miss the debates and conversations with her classmates and the understanding displayed by her teachers who allowed her the time to complete assignments and homework whenever she had to travel to compete.

What she will not miss is the 40-minute commute to school each morning.

“I won’t miss having to go so far, waking up at 6 am each morning,” she said.

Always prepared, Briana is already close to selecting which college she will attend with Broward College, so far, leading the way. However, she reveals that she is still looking around before making a final decision.

“What feels like the end is also the beginning,” she posted on Instagram on Sunday; the end of high school and beginning of a new phase in the life of the talented teen, who earlier this year signed a multi-year deal with Nike.

“I see myself doing well and thriving in my professional career,” she told Sportsmax.TV. Against the backdrop of what we have seen so far, there can be no reason to doubt her.