Summerville and USC graduate chasing Olympic gold for the Philippines

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCIV) — Angel Frank's daily dose of dreams and destiny rises every morning in Durham, North Carolina, where she trains.

"Underlying feeling is gratitude," Frank, a Summerville High School and University of South Carolina graduate, said. "The opportunity to pursue the dream is what wakes me up and is the driving force behind it all."

She is up early at the track or in the gym. Repetition and concentration – strength and speed – are part of her constant work. Running is a full-time job, but it is not yet the job that pays her bills.

"I'm working remotely, doing social media marketing for a company in Charleston," Frank said. "That fills my day."

READ MORE: "Stall High School athletics director and fiancé set to tackle London Marathon together."

Dreams are within reach. They only sit 200 meters away, and Frank knows what needs to be done.

Frank said she needs to hit the qualification standard, which is 22.75, and the biggest opportunity is two weeks from now at the Philippine nationals.

Her goal is to get to the Paris Olympics. She is chasing it through her dad Carlos' heritage. The former Citadel football star is of Filipino descent.

"Getting my citizenship and being able to represent my country means the world to me," Frank said. "The Olympics would be a big deal. I saw another Filippino/American girl who competed at the Tokyo Olympics and that was when I saw myself through her."

READ MORE: "Bridging cultures: Spanish exchange student enriches local soccer team in Goose Creek."

The deadline to qualify for the Olympic games is June 30. She will be running towards that finish line with a definite chance of making it. If she does it, she will do so with the Philippines written across her bib.

"I've been running since first grade," Frank said. "Always enjoyed doing it, but I never really believed or saw in myself I could pursue this after graduation."

With the dream in sight, 200 meters and half a world are all that separate the Summerville Green and Gold from chasing Olympic gold.