Sting like a bee: Isabella Whittaker’s journey from Maryland to Paris and the Hill

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KWNA/KFTA) – Over 60 years ago, in 1964, Muhammad Ali first donned a quote that is almost as famous as his legendary boxing career.

Float Like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

In 2025, one former Razorback has taken that saying to heart. In her short time as a Hog, Isabella Whittaker got a lot accomplished on the Hill. She was named the national women’s Indoor track athlete of the year by the USTFCCCA back in March after setting the collegiate and American record in the 400 meter race.

“I like to be a little bit unpredictable,” Whittaker told PTN. “I like to do what people think is kind of impossible.”

The impossible quest began in Laurel, Maryland, Whittaker’s hometown. She grew up with a family full of track and field athletes. Her parents, both coaches, brother and sister all competed in the sport in some capacity.

Whittaker, found out she was fast not in a normal race, but rather recess.

“Growing up like on the playground,” Whittaker said. “I used to race the boys all the time and I quickly found out that I could beat them… that’s how I found out that I was pretty fast.”

Sooner rather than later, she knew she wanted to run at the next level. After high school, she went to Pennsylvania to run for the Quakers track and field program while her sister, Juliette, went to Stanford.

It was hard on Isabella, being on the opposite coast as the person she shared a room with growing up. Yet, the moments they got to spend together competing at the same meet were some of her best memories in her entire career.

The way people knew that they were related, two plush animals on their bags bought by their mom.

“Juliette really resonated with the fly like a butterfly, and I was similar to sing like a bee,” Whittaker replied. “People could literally see that we were attached at the hip.”

The butterfly and the bee found themselves back together in the summer of 2024. The Whittaker girls shared a room in Paris at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games.

“It was great to have [Juliette] there, especially as a roommate just because it brought me back to our childhood,” Whittaker added. “It made things a bit less serious.”

Following the summer games, Whittaker opted to leave UPenn for Arkansas. A move from the Ivy league to the SEC was certainly a step up for her. One that she was ready to take in order to work with Hogs head coach Chris Johnson.

Whittaker noted Johnson’s intensity as a big reason for coming to the hill. She remembers the hard practices thinking “this is a lot.” Ultimately, it was the prestige of the University of Arkansas track and field program that drew her to a place she had never been before.

Following the conclusion of the 2025 indoor season, she transitioned to the professional ranks. Recently, she signed a brand partnership deal to run for On. Plus, the Razorback track and field program is pushing to get write in votes for the 2025 Bowerman award.

“I’m really excited to keep shocking people and to keep rising to the occasion,” Whittaker said. “I’m just excited to keep growing as an athlete and a person. I’m just grateful for every second.”

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