It's Always 'Valentine's Day' For Melbourne Central Catholic Star, Nation's #1 60m Sprinter

(Photos courtesy of Lavonte Valentine)

Melbourne Central Catholic junior Lavonte Valentine is a relative newcomer to the sport of track and field. A two sport-athlete, who also competes in football, Valentine had high hopes of shining in both. However during his freshman year, while playing football, he tore his lateral meniscus and was sidelined from track. He says it was a process to get back to full strength.

"I went through six months of therapy every single day pushing myself because I was determined. That time frame was purely my mind and knowing what I want to do and never giving up because quitting was not an option. I've broken my ankle before as well so with all these injuries and I'm still able to be as fast as I am is exciting."

Valentine started in the sport as a sophomore for the Hustlers. He hustled and grinded his way quietly throughout the season. In his first meet, at the St. Cloud Invitational he ran 11.27 in the prelims and followed that up with a time of 11.11 to place third in the finals, a far cry from how his season would end. Going under the radar, he set a new PR of 10.66w at Florida Relays, went onto win the district championship, and third at a loaded regional which featured Shaun Shivers and Anthony Schwartz. The MCC standout finished third behind those two same athletes at the 2A state championship. He believes he could always compete with the best of the best.

"There was never a point where I didn't think I could not run with those guys. I knew I just had got out of surgery and recovery, so I knew last year was not going to be a good year for me. That is why I have this year."

Coming from a small school without a major track program, Valentine's training hasn't been top notch. As a matter of fact it's been pretty non existent. He admits coming off of the football season he didn't do any running, jogging, nothing. That didn't stop him from opening up his season with a US#1 indoor 60m time of 6.77 and beating the likes of FSU signee Chauncy Smart. Valentine says he still has a ton more in the tank.

"I have not had any training at all like the other guys. I am at a very small school. When I just ran that 6.77 that was my first time running in three weeks. I was very surprised and my reaction was quickly "what would happen if I get the right training". I knew those guys were fast, but I've always known that I had elite speed."

Just as impressive as his nation leading time was the fact that he did it out of lane eight. Since he didn't have an actual time, his coach entered him with an estimated mark. He says the thought of being the best in the country is humbling and better of a larger plan.

"It means a lot to be #1. More and more of the younger, little kids look up to me, and that is why I love running track."

Valentine is unsure if he will compete January 13-14th weekend in either Michigan or go back to Alabama, but he will continue to compete indoors until Florida's track season gets underway in mid February. As for what the outdoor future holds for the junior? He's ready to put on a show.

"I can't wait to get back into 2A.  I've had the experience and now it's Valentine's Day."