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Running Down a Dream Kofie Yeboah ’13
WHEN KOFIE YEBOAH ’13 first decided to compete for the Ravenscroft Varsity Boys Track & Field team, he says he did it out of anger. But as his final season wound down this past spring, that anger had morphed into something else: he was running for his teammates. As a freshman, Kofie was cut from the Junior Varsity Basketball team. The coach, who had noticed Kofie’s speed during tryouts, suggested that he run track in the spring, and then come back the next year to try out again. “My whole first season on the track team I ran because I was mad that I had been cut from the basketball team,” said Kofie. Fast forward to 2013, and Kofie has graduated from Ravenscroft as a twotime NCISAA 3A State Champion and school-record holder in the 100-meter dash. The old record of 10.5, which he broke in March with a time of 10.4, was previously held by Super Bowl Champi-
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R avenscroft magazine
on Antwan Harris ’96. It was one of the oldest school records on the books. “It was definitely a goal of mine to break Antwan’s record,” smiled Kofie. “He used to give me a hard time about not making the basketball team.” Kofie believes that his progression as a student-athlete was as much mental as physical. “Winning the state championship my sophomore year made me feel like nobody could mess with me,” said Kofie. “Before, I had the talent but lacked confidence. And I knew that confidence plus talent equals success. Confidence without talent? That’s just ego.” Kofie spent much of the 2013 track
season sidelined with injuries and had to take on a different role at the State Championship Meet — one of spectator, not defending champion. Although it was difficult for Kofie to watch and not participate, he was right there to help his teammates hoist the runner-up team trophy, as the Ravens finished second to Providence Day. “Kofie matured a great deal as a track athlete from his sophomore season to senior year,” said Head Coach Shon Hardy. “He became a leader of the sprint team, not only in skill but in his willingness to prepare. His commitment to working hard in practice helped shape the way our younger runners worked