When the starting gun goes off, there is one name the crowd looks for on the track, and his name is Mikel Dujour.
As a captain of the NHS track team, Mikel has become an outstanding athlete and a role model for his teammates. Despite only being on our track team for 3 years, he is already becoming a symbol of determination, bravery, and leadership.
Starting his freshman year, Dujour has been a leading force on the team, running a 12.29-second 100-meter run, as well as a 25.08 200-meter run. After 3 years of track, during his junior year, he is now running an 11.5-second 100-meter run, as well as a 23.08 200-meter run. In which we can see how his consistent progress continues to deliver his explosive results.
But with these great records and achievements, there is always a strong foundation that is built behind it.
“I started tracking my freshman year only to get better at football. I became more in love with the sport than I thought I would before. It is that which motivated me to continue doing better in track and pushing myself to my limits,” said Dujour.
With such a strongly motivated start and love for the sport, when it comes to being a team captain, it shows a different perspective.
“As a captain, I always ensure I set a good example for the team by doing my best every day in practice and at our meets. With this, I always make sure my teammates are doing the same along with me so that we can work together,” said Dujour.
According to those who have been with him along his journey, from early morning practices to late-night meets, through the wins and the losses, it is not just his athletic ability that sets him apart, but his unwavering work for the team.
“He is a leader,” said head coach Jeff Loja. “He is essentially the epitome of the word. He conducts himself with good sportsmanship. He may seem quiet at times, but it is with that nonchalant style he leads by example.”
Outside of his life on the track, Mikel maintains a strong academic record and always helps the younger students feel welcomed and at home.
He plans to continue his love for track in college or even become an athletic trainer to continue to support those who need it.
Currently, the track team is 0-4 for the season, yet this doesn’t set back their motivation; it only pushes them to do better in the years to come, and this was said best by the one who has seen the worst.
“The scores of the meets will never reflect the progress that was made throughout the season, involving a lot of personal bests, and records that our athletes this year have set. So, regardless of our season’s struggles, it will build our foundation for our team’s success,” said Head Coach Jeff Loja.
