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Peyton DePriest Keeps Breaking Records JUNIOR TRACK STAR HOLDS RECORDS IN 5 EVENTS, LOOKING FOR MORE By Laura Reynolds Reporter
PHOTO BY RACHEL MOORE
“GOD IS THE REASON.”
That is how Peyton DePriest explains his success in the track world. “I wouldn’t be able to do anything without Him,” DePriest said. “I couldn’t run a 400, walk, brush my teeth or even get out of bed without him.” DePriest is a record holder in many areas of track and field, such as; 4x400 meter relay and 4x200 indoor meter relay, 4x100 meter relay, and the Alex Girdley relay (a series of different sections of track and field, including long jump, 100 meters-relay split, and shot put) records. Along with that, he was the 4x400 meter relay national champion and also competed in the Junior Olympics. “I can’t take credit for any of my records or accomplishments,” DePriest said. “He created me, gave breath to my lungs, and movement to my legs. He created me to glorify Him and he gave me this ability to do just that.” Even though DePriest expresses God as his reasoning behind all of his
FEBRUARY 2016
successes, he thanks his mother for getting him started in the sport. “My mom got me started with track,” DePriest said. “Football wasn’t going my way because I wasn’t getting the one-onone feeling I needed and I came home after multiple games crying and feeling worthless because I wasn’t getting in. I felt bad because my parents were paying all this money to watch me stand on the sidelines. So my mom suggested track, and with track I am respected by my teammates and coaches and I actually get to do something to make my parents proud.” DePriest’s favorite memory of track and field was his very first race. “It was the 100-meter dash. I was in seventh grade,” DePriest said. “The gun went off and I started running, and I heard my mom cheering, so I turned to her and started waving at her in the middle of my race.” DePriest is not known to take all of his success for granted. DePriest does a
lot of things, such as training, to prepare for track season and, hopefully, to break more records. “In the off season, I train with my coach and partake in cross country to make sure I stay in shape,” DePriest said. DePriest is aware of how physically demanding this sport is; however, he
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I CAN’T NAME ONE BAD EXPERIENCE I’VE HAD. I’VE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. Peyton DePriest, 11
does not plan on giving up. “Our whole sport is another sport’s punishment,” DePriest said. “So that should tell you something. The most important thing to do is to listen to your coaches because they know what they’re talking about. I wouldn’t be as good without [my coaches.]” DePriest said that he is excited for this
upcoming season and what is to come of it, especially competing again. “I am most excited to get out there with my teammates and coaches; they are so awesome and the main reason I love track,” DePriest said “you don’t get [a welcoming feeling] with any other sport, and I know because I’ve played other sports.” DePriest often gets questioned why he stuck with track as his sport of choice. “As a kid, I was always really fast, so track just seemed like a good idea at the time,” DePriest said. “My [goal] is to run really fast and make my family and coaches proud.” DePriest said that track has had a very positive impact on his life. From the people in it, to the experiences he has had with it, this track star said he is happy with every choice he has made regarding his favorite sport. “I can’t name one bad experience I’ve had. I’ve loved every minute of it,” DePriest said. PAGE DESIGN BY LAURA REYNOLDS