EUGENE — Had her parents got their initial wish, Phyllis Francis would have been the next Serena Williams.
Alas, she told USA TODAY Sports with a laugh, she got started too late to become a tennis star.
It worked out reasonably well for Francis though — she’s an Olympic track athlete with a gold medal in the 4x400 relay, a world championship gold in her individual event, and a potential future star in her sport.
After spending the last few weeks crisscrossing the globe at a variety of meets, from Jamaica to Eugene, Ore., to Stockholm, Francis is expected to compete in the 200 meters Saturday at the USA track and field national championships in Des Moines.