Early life
Maia Alyse McCoy was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. She grew up playing basketball but was convinced to run track in high school. She attended Whitehaven High School. McCoy attended the University of Tennessee where she earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism. She continued her education at the same institution, completing a master's degree in Communication and Information with a concentration in Journalism.
In high school, McCoy was the Tennessee's State Champion in the 100-meter dash from 2013 to 2014 and 200 meters from 2013 to 2015. She won the Pepsi Best of the Preps title, presented by the Commercial Appeal at the Germantown Performing Arts Center, in 2013, 2014, and 2015. McCoy became the first person, male or female, to win the prestigious award three consecutive years. She was also chosen as the girls' Athlete of the Year for public schools. [4]
During her time at the University of Tennessee, McCoy had an impressive track and field career. She finished her five-year Lady Vol career ranking third in program history in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.12 seconds and ninth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.00 seconds. She reached the semi-finals of the 100-meter dash at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, placing 15th overall with a time of 11.16 seconds.In addition, McCoy was decorated in bronze medals at the SEC Championships through 2019–2021, earning third-place finishes in both the 60m, 100 and 200m dashes. [5]
Career
She ran a personal best time for the 100 metres of 11.08 seconds in Gainesville, Florida in April 2023. [6] She ran 11.08 seconds again to win the 100 metres at the Arkansas Grand Prix in Fayetteville, Arkansas in June 2023. [7]
2024
In 2024, McCoy accepted an opportunity to represent Liberia in international competitions, qualifying through the country’s recruitment initiative aimed at strengthening its national team. Though she had no familial or residential ties to Liberia, the opportunity allowed her to compete in higher-level international meets. She went on to win silver medals in both the 100 meters and the 4 × 100-meter relay at the 2024 All-Africa Games, and another silver in the 100 meters at the 2024 African Championships in Douala, Cameroon. Later that year, following concerns about the legitimacy of the recruitment practices and organizational issues within the Liberian athletics federation, McCoy initiated a transfer of allegiance back to the United States. She has stated that she has no personal, familial, or cultural ties to Liberia, and that her decision to represent the country briefly was a strategic misstep. She is now proud to represent the United States — the country of her birth, upbringing, and heritage. [8]
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