For Elijah, track and field started as a family influence and grew into a defining part of his life. Encouraged by his cousins, who saw his natural ability early on, Elijah decided to give the sport a try. “My cousins were really the ones who pushed me to run,” Elijah said. “They kept telling me I was fast and that I should take it seriously.” What began as something fun slowly turned serious as he trained harder, improved, and started seeing real results.
Now, as a senior, track is more than just a sport to him. “It’s something I really love, and I can see it being part of my future,” he said.
Balancing school, track, work, and friends isn’t always easy. “Track honestly takes up most of my time,” Elijah said, “but I don’t mind because it’s something I care about.” Still, he makes room for fun, often combining training with hanging out. “We’ll train and joke around at the same time,” he added.
One of Elijah’s most unforgettable moments came during his junior year in the 4×200 relay. As the anchor runner,
he received the baton while the team was in fourth place. Determined not to lose, he ran without hesitation, passing two competitors and pushing his team into second place. “I remember thinking I couldn’t let my team down,” Elijah said. “I just ran as hard as I could and didn’t look back.”
As a senior, Elijah is seen as a leader. His teammates look to him for guidance, motivation, and example. Some of the younger athletes even call him “Big Bro,” a nickname that reflects the respect and trust he’s earned. “That name means a lot to me,” Elijah said. “It shows they trust me, and I want to be someone they can look up to.”
He leads not just by performance, but by attitude, always willing to help others improve.
Elijah’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. A preseason injury forced him to slow down and focus on recovery rather than pushing through pain. “It was frustrating because I wanted to keep going,” he said, “but I learned that sometimes you have to be patient.” By allowing his body to heal properly, he returned stronger and more prepared than before.
Motivation is another area where Elijah shines. During tough practices or meets, he keeps things positive. “If everyone’s in a bad mood, the whole practice feels harder,” he explained. “I try to keep things light and remind people why we’re here.” By joking around and keeping spirits high, he helps his teammates stay focused without
being overwhelmed. “You can have fun and still be serious at the same time,” Elijah said.
Before races, Elijah sticks to routines that emphasize unity and faith. He warms up and stretches with his team and avoids isolating himself. “I like being with my teammates before races,” he said. “It keeps me calm.” Moments before the race begins, he prays, and reading the Bible before competing helps him stay grounded. “My faith keeps me focused and reminds me to trust the process,” Elijah added.
Through track, Elijah has learned valuable lessons about teamwork and leadership. He’s learned that mistakes aren’t about blame, they’re about growth. “Nobody’s perfect,” Elijah said. “We mess up, but we learn from it together.” The team practices together, struggles together, and improves together, strengthening their bond.
Looking back, Elijah would tell his younger self to respect recovery just as much as training. “I used to think more work always meant better results,” he said. “Now I know recovery is just as important.” Speed and strength take time, and patience is key.
As he prepares for life after high school, Elijah has clear goals. He hopes to continue running track in college, whether at a junior college or university, and aims to earn an athletic scholarship. “I want to keep running as long as I can,” he said. Beyond athletics, he plans to study business management and entrepreneurship. “I want to set
myself up for success after track,” Elijah explained. “Track taught me discipline, and I want to use that in my future.”
2026 Archived Article by Amani McClendon
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