Versey, left, running alongside Minnesota's all-time 100 meter record holder Evan McClellon at last year's State Championships (photo provided by Javien Versey)
First of all, how did you first start doing track?
Well, 2016 was my first season doing track ever. Since I was a freshman, I've been asked to join track but I had no interest. I've always been a fast runner, but I wasn't particularly fond of running. I would look at the track and think, "Someone must be crazy if they're having fun running around that thing". But I wanted to do a spring sport. I wanted to be doing something instead of playing video games all day, so I decided to join baseball. I had a lot of fun. I always had the green light to steal because of my speed and I loved being in the outfield and running full speed to catch fly balls. One day the head track coach was watching a game and he saw me running bases and that's when the coaches really insisted that I join track. I gave it a shot, but I wasn't going to abandon baseball, so I did both. I started to go to track practice and it was apparent that I was the fastest but I didn't realize that I was top-in-the-state fast. I just assumed that everyone else was just a little slower. I had no idea how I stacked up against the rest of the state. The first meet for me was horrible. I was so nervous and I felt like I had to throw up and at one point I was going to opt out, but I sucked it up and ran. I had no idea how to use blocks so I had a teammate set them up for me right before the 100m. When the gun went off, I just stood up then ran. To my surprise I had got 1st and when I gave it a later thought, I realized that it was pretty easy. Later on in the day I yielded the same result for the 200m. It felt good to win and I was able to stand on a podium for the first time in my life, and I liked the feeling so I kept doing it. Next thing I knew, I had a desk full of first place medals and found myself at the State Meet.
What are all your personal records?
100m - 10.71
200m - 21.76
Do you do, or have you done, any other sports?
I play football in the fall, manage basketball in the winter, and do both track and baseball in the spring.
What is your favorite or most memorable race you have ever run?
The most memorable race for me was as the first Minneapolis City meet. There was a sprinter from South High School and everyone kept talking about how good he was, and to be honest I was intimidated. I was scared to lose since it was something I hadn't come across yet. We had the two fastest times so we were lined up next to each other. I was in the 4th lane and he was in the 5th lane so it made it a lot more intense for me. My starts were horrible (they're probably still horrible), so initially everyone had a head start on me, but I was determined. I ran my hardest and it felt like I was checking things off a list as I passed every runner. When I got up the South runner I could see him peek at me from the corner of my eye and then I started to pull ahead. I was able to gain my confidence back after that race and pretty much the same thing happened for the 200m.
Who are some of your favorite athletes to run against, not counting teammates?
I don't know too many sprinters, but I would have to say Malachi Lossow from South High School. I would say he was the first in track to push me.
(Photo provided by Javien Versey)
What are your main goals for this upcoming season?
My main goal is, of course, try to compete for first, but I also just want to have fun and cherish my last time playing high school sports.
So as a first-year track runner last year, what do you think was your biggest surprise about the sport?
Training, definitely. A lot of people think that you're just running in a straight line, but so much goes into it. To be a great sprinter you have to be a technician. Good technique and preparation is the key.
Do you have any plans to try more events like the long jump, triple jump, 400, etc, or are you going to keep focusing on the 100 and 200?
I'm planning on doing long jump and the 400m. Out of all the events I feel like long jump is the most fun. I want to do the 400m to better myself for the 200m; it's kinda like a cross-training sort of deal.
Doing two high school sports in the same season isn't something a lot of athletes do anymore. Do you find your yourself being pulled or pressured by well-meaning teammates or coaches to devote more of your time to one or the other, or do you not run into problems like that?
Yes, it was one of problems I struggled with the most actually. Both coaches want you to do well and of course they're going to push for their own sport but I couldn't help the feeling that I was letting someone down, letting my teammates down, like if I would pick a meet over a double header, or vice versa. I also felt like I couldn't rise to my full potential because I wasn't 100 percent invested in either sport. It's like my development and growth was cut in half.
Do you have any college plans?
Next year I will attend The University of Minnesota-Duluth to play football, as a defensive back, and possibly run track.
(Photo provided by Javien Versey)
What was the thing you liked most about UMD?
The coaches were the thing that sold me on UMD out of all the schools I visited. I was able to instantly establish a connection, and those guys are the type of coaches you would leave it all on the field for. Another thing I liked about UMD was the rich football history. The program already has a pretty stout resume with two national championships in the past decade, and I feel like my class coming in can amount to some great things in the future. The last thing that I was really looking for was a great institution. UMD is an amazing school with a pretty prestigious engineering program. Making sure I get a good degree is the most important thing and the opportunity to walk out with an University of Minnesota degree is something I couldn't pass up.
Do you have any rituals, routines, or superstitions either on or off the track?
Oddly I do; I usually roll one of the sleeves on my undershirt when I compete in track.
When not training or running 100 meters in under 11 seconds, what might we find you doing?
Just being an average kid. Playing video games, doing homework, watching TV, or just hanging out with friends or with my girlfriend.
Tell me one bizarre fact about yourself.
I am deathly afraid of lobsters and crabs.