How fast can a freshman go? Penn State’s Ajani Dwyer is proving there might not be a limit. At the Penn 10 Elite meet, the New Jersey native clocked a 20.65 in his 200m opener, which is the fifth-fastest time in the NCAA this season and the fastest by any freshman. He now holds the top three all-time marks in Penn State history for both the 60m and 200m dashes. His 6.65 in the 60m ranks fourth in Division I this year.

Dwyer’s dominance isn’t new, and at Washington Township High School, he set a New Jersey state record in the 55m (6.18) and ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for his class. His 100m (10.21) was the sixth fastest nationwide among high school seniors. Well, his story starts long before Penn State. But before he shattered all those records and made the headlines, he was just another kid with a dream.

That’s why the real question isn’t just how fast he is. It’s who made him this way? If you guessed his parents, then you are right, so let’s learn more about them today.

Who is Ajani Dwyer’s father?

Abbo Dwyer is the father of Ajani Dwyer, the Penn State sprinting sensation. We know he, along with her wife, has raised five children: Ajani, Jaleel, Zy, Mekhi, Ezra, and Imani. But beyond that? Details are scarce. However, one thing that we can be clear about is that he has raised his son to be a respectful and competent young man.

This is all the more visible when we see him explode off the blocks—his relentless drive, his discipline—it’s hard not to wonder. Did Abbo run? Train? Push his son toward greatness? We don’t know for sure. But one thing seems certain is that it wasn’t just Abbo who made his son the track sensation that he is. No, there was one other person right beside him. Yes, you guessed it right. It is his mother.

Who is Ajani Dwyer’s mother?

Tamarind Creary is the mother of Ajani Dwyer, the standout newcomer for Penn who honored fourth-ranked 60-meter and fifth-ranked 200-meter dash marks in Division I this season. Watching the young sprinter race towards his dreams and getting all the laurels, it is pretty easy to see how much integrity he has within him.

All of this can very much be attributed to Tamarind and Abbo. Watching his discipline, his composure, and the quiet confidence he carries to the starting blocks, it feels like a mother’s influence. Did Tamarind instill that patience? That resilience? We can’t say for sure. But one thing seems likely: Ajani Dwyer’s speed was nurtured before it was ever trained.

What is Ajani Dwyer’s parents’ nationality?

There isn’t much confirmed about Ajani Dwyer’s parents’ nationality, but all signs point to American roots. His father, Abbo Dwyer, and mother, Ajani Dwyer, have kept a low profile, yet Ajani’s journey from Sewell, New Jersey, to Penn State suggests they never relocated abroad. His rise in collegiate sprinting, marked by a record-breaking 60-meter dash, only adds to the intrigue.