What was your most memorable race/moment?
My most memorable race will always be the 800m finals at districts. It rained so hard that I thought that they'd be crazy if they didn't cancel that race based on how hard and constantly it was raining. They never did they just kept the race going because they didn't want to continue the meet the following Monday. So as I make my way to the check in I see nothing but athletes under a tent as if they are all one family. I was in the fast heat so we ran second because their was only two heats with the top three moving on to regionals. As the slow heat is running I'm getting ready doing some progressives with my rival from Coral Springs High. During he second lap i saw him and told him this:
My most memorable race will always be the 800m finals at districts. It rained so hard that I thought that they'd be crazy if they didn't cancel that race based on how hard and constantly it was raining. They never did they just kept the race going because they didn't want to continue the meet the following Monday. So as I make my way to the check in I see nothing but athletes under a tent as if they are all one family. I was in the fast heat so we ran second because their was only two heats with the top three moving on to regionals. As the slow heat is running I'm getting ready doing some progressives with my rival from Coral Springs High. During he second lap i saw him and told him this:
"This is it man. It all comes down to this. May the best man win and we shook hands and then I did something I've never did beforem I prayed with him. As I'm standing there waiting for the race the rain is just pouring heavier and heavierI. The gun goes off and when I'm running I notice how wet the track was it was unbelievable how they had us running still. We make our way to the second lap three hundred meters to go it's me and Springs and Douglas whom came out of nowhere. Springs makes a move at the 200m then I made a move, but the only problem between the moves we made were that I wanted it more. I out kicked him with 150meters to go and as I'm making my way to the finish line I saw how the rain just stopped and then that's when I said to my self that was "a sign".
Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
Well I only ran track officially my senior year so I didn't really have rivals, but my biggest competition was my self.
What was your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was being the first class to make it to states with my 4x800 meter relay squad and to leave a record behind.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
I would have started running in my freshman year.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
I had too overcome the loss of my mom. Every meet I would see other kids with their moms coming to support them no matter how far it was or what the weather was. Because I lost my mom at a young age that had a huge impact on me when it came to running, but I made sure each practice and each track meet that I gave my 200% for momma.
What will you miss the most?
I'll oblivious miss my Coach Pedro Gonzalez. He took me under his wings my sophomore year. He helped me each day to get my grades up and trained me not just by running, but he also taught me about how to be more then what I expected from myself. Till this day I'll never forget those words he told me after our conversation "You know what? I'm going to work with you. I'm not going to give up on you. We're going to work and we"re going to get those grades up." That's when I knew that someone cared about me and that someone saw something greater in me then I did each time I would look in the mirror as I would make my way to school or head out I to the real life.
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
What advice would you give to younger athletes?
I would say don't give up. Never put those words in your head. If you see it do it. If you want it go get it. No matter what it is there is going to be someone out there that will meet you half way too reach that goal.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
My coach showed me to always think positive and taught me to be better everyday. He also told me to not give up and to learn from every bad thing that has happened to me.
What are your college plans?
What are your college plans?
I plan to attend Northwood University and continute running track and cross country.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to my coach and also to flrunners for keeping us posted on the times posted from each meet which helped us a lot and gave us the chance to win districts for cross country.
More Coverage
Do you know a class of 2014 track and field or cross country athlete? We'd like to salute them! Have them answer the following questions plus send 2-3 photos (can not be from another website or publication) to Todd.Grasley@flocasts.com.