First of all, how did you first get involved with track & field?
I first started running track in 7th grade for Woodbury Middle School, and I really enjoyed it and I kept on doing it and eventually, I fell in love with it.
What are all your personal records?
My personal record in the 100 is a 11.3, my furthest triple jump was 44'11, my fastest 200 was a 23.08, and my furthest long jump is a 20'1.
Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?
I also play football.
What is your favorite or most memorable competition you've ever been in?
My most memorable competition is either preforming at the State Track and Field tournament, or beating East Ridge this year in football!
Other than your own teammates, who are some of your favorite athletes to compete against?
I like to compete against anyone from East Ridge because we have such a good rivalry with them and I love beating them in sports.
Who are some people that have been most helpful to you in your athletic career?
Some of the people that have been very helpful to me in my athletic career are my track coaches Scott and Moore, and my family friend Peterson Pierre. Peterson has been there for me since the beginning for me, helping me not only become the athlete I am today, but the man I am. And my two track coaches have been there for me since I was a freshman, always making sure I was doing what I was supposed to and always pushing me to do the best I can in everything I do.
(Photo provided by Ricardo Twinawe)
Woodbury has a long history of developing great triple jumpers, including Mason Roomes who won State last year. What makes their program so successful?
I would say the things that make our program more successful than others is our coaching staff because they have been doing this for a very long time and we all trust them and do what they ask us to do. They are also very unique coaches because to them it's more than just track. With them, it's about developing boys into young men that understand what life is about.
What is a challenge you have had to face as an athlete?
A challenge I have faced as an athlete is the recruiting process because as a young man it's kind of your first big decision on where you want to spend the next couple of years of your life.
Based on your experience, what advice you how have for athletes who are being recruited?
Some advice I would have for kids in the recruiting processes is to make sure your school work is good, because that's probably the most important thing. And make sure you get to really know the schools that you want to go to because you are picking where you want to spend the next 4+ years of your life at.
What are your main goals for this upcoming track season?
My main goal for this track season is to win a state championship and break a school record.
Do you have any college plans?
I plan on going to Iowa Central to play football and run track.
What were some of the things that attracted you to Iowa Central?
One of the things that attracted me to Iowa Central was the coaching staff that they have down there, and how they are all for kids succeeding and going far in life. And the community is really close down there too, and everyone supports everyone and how they have plans to win championships.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
Before every race I always do a quick prayer.
When not doing anything track-related, what might we find you doing?
Playing football with my friends or working out.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
One bizarre fact about me is that I can never do something sports-related without a prayer.