Houston girl, 8, holds national track record

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Don't let the orange polka dot bow fool you -- Carly Cresser, 8, is a serious athlete. Earlier this month the Frazier Elementary School student competed in the Junior Olympic race, held in Iowa. With family and friends to cheer her on, Carly not only won the 400 meter race, but she shaved almost two seconds off the old record!

Her mom Stacy Cresser recalled, "I was just excited that she broke the record. I'm still speechless."

Her parents say Carly began running at the age of four. Her motivation? Her older sister, who's a runner too.

"She really started out to beat her sister," said Carly's dad, Conrad Cresser. "That was like her goal, I want to beat my sister."

And it hasn't been easy. Hours-long practices during the week followed by a track meet every Saturday. And Carly loves every minute of it.