FVSU Blog

Getting back on track…

The time was 12:45 and the final day of the 2005 GHSA Class 1-AAAA Region Championship meet was underway. Sweat dripped down my forehead as a result of the combination of a black warm up suit and 92 degree sunny skies. My arms shook as I stood in the holding area for the participants in the 4 X 100m relay. “Walk ‘em down” yelled the starting official and my adrenaline began to race as I stretched and situated myself into my starting blocks. My teammate in the first exchange glanced at me and nodded his head; a simple gesture to let everyone know that we were ready. As the gun went up, the crowd was silent. “Runners to your marks, get set……,” it seemed as if the pause lasted for ten seconds, “GO!”

That is one of my unforgettable moments from high school track.
I later went on to further my athletic career at the Fort Valley State University under head coach Tyree Price. He recruited me straight out of high school and brought me in on an athletic scholarship. My aspirations were high. I dreamed of creating a legacy for myself in the school’s program, the same way I did back in high school. Freshman season was perhaps my best year. A second place finish in the pole vault at the SIAC Conference Championships and SIAC All-Men’s First Team honors were my peak accomplishments; seemingly unprecedented by previous vaulters for the school. The following year brought me a bronze medal finish and All-Men’s Second Team honors.

After the national track meet in 2007 Coach Price announced that he would be leaving the team to coach at another HBCU. With my determined will not to give up, I contacted former coaches and met with them to obtain proper training. I finished with a silver medal at the championships that year only to credit myself for a job well done. My final season of track & field was plagued by a hamstring injury that barred me from ever winning gold at the SIAC Championship.

Although, I’m no longer participating in meets, I am concerned for my fellow athletes and the current state of our team during this time of transition. The school has placed a football coach as the interim head until a permanent person is found for the position. Junior and senior members of the team have stepped into leadership roles in efforts to retain unity. So where does this leave FVSU’s running program? The cross country season is already in progress and indoor and outdoor season is quickly approaching.

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