Deavonni Damon '24 Recruiting Profile

READY… SET… BOOM… that's when it was me V.S. everyone. It was my second season for cross country and I qualified for states but my teammates didn’t, so I had to run alone. I was also running for a club team team and my teammates from the club team didn’t make it either. My club coaches were going to go and support me, but they backed out. Evenmy parents couldn’t go at the time, so it was just me and my high school coach competing against 400 plus people. Then I got news that my coach couldn’t even go…I was nervous that I had no one there with me, I thought I was gonna embarrass myself and the schoolI felt a lot of weight on my shoulders. I felt as though I couldn’t handle the pressure alone. 

“Tomorrow is the day.” That’s what I was telling myself in the hotel room alone that night.The next day came and there were  thousands of people. I started warming up and a  couple hours went by until it was time for my race. I go to the start line to get ready. I had to race against 400 plus  people. The race started and everyone going down the trail people were pushing trying not to fall. It felt as though I was in war, running towards the battle, hearing people screaming out “RUN” , watching some people trip nearly falling, stepping in mud, running up and down hills.

As the race went on I was ready to quit but in the middle of the race I heard people rooting to keep going even though I didn’t know them and I wasn’t sure if they were rooting for me but it pushed me to keep going. I had to remember that I made it here, I’m here because I’m able to compete against the others . I  ended up running a personal best. During that day I realize you won’t have people with you at all time, you gotta push yourself to do better no matter what condition you are in. I had to realize that I made it here for a reason, I had to show up and show out; show them who I am and why I’m here. I had to prove to myself that I’m able to be here and complete.

This one event prepared me for my future because even at my lowest I’ll still show out to be the star at any event.  Even if you feel like you’re alone and got no support you still need to show people that you’re a star. In college I’m gonna have some times where I’m gonna have to work alone. For example, when I’m on the track team I’m gonna have to workout alone or even compete against others alone. One example is having to study for multiple classes or even having to live alone as a man. When those times come I’ll be prepared to carry the weight.