Born in Livingston, New Jersey to Harry and Yolanda Price, she grew up in Easton, Pennsylvania and attended Easton Area High School there. In 2007, she won the Nike High School Nationals title in the 800 m and then, age sixteen, she ran at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and placed seventh. At the 2007 World Youth Championships in Athletics she was the early leader, but was illegally blocked by Winny Chebet in the final lap and finished sixth. A significant personal best of 2:01.61 minutes at the Prefontaine Classic, which was the second fastest ever by an American high school athlete, led to her inclusion at the 2008 United States Olympic Trials, where she ran in qualifying. As a result of these performances she was chosen as the female High School Athlete of the Year.