Name:Chante Graham
School:Belton High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: My training has been going pretty well. Even though there is a chance the season will get canceled, there's also a chance that it won't and I have to be prepared for either possibility.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: Schoolwork and filling out scholarships have been keeping me pretty busy.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: My most memorable race would probably have to be when I ran the 300m hurdles at the Pitt State high school meet my freshman year. I started off way too fast and fell over a hurdle in the last 50 meters. Even though it hurt, I had to pick myself up and finish off the race. I surprisingly ended up winning my heat. This all happened on the big screen and it was embarrassing at the moment, but it's hilarious looking back on it now.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: My biggest competitor was Lindsey Dobson of Pleasant Hill. We have had a friendly rivalry going on since freshman year. She definitely kept me afloat and I am so glad we had the opportunity to compete and push each other to get better over the past four years.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: My greatest accomplishment was either breaking 50 seconds in the 300m hurdles or making 1st team All-Conference this past season. These were goals I had been trying to reach since freshman year.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: Nothing. I have faced many battles throughout my track career, but these battles are what make me the athlete I am today.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: The constantly changing track coaches at Belton. I loved each of my coaches but I had to face an extreme amount of adversity while getting used to their different coaching styles when they wouldn't be around for the next season.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: My teammates. Over the last four seasons, they have become a second family to me and I don't know where I would be without them. Track isn't easy, but we push each other to be the best that we can be. They are the reason I continue to show up to practice every day and I'm so grateful for all of the memories we were able to make together. I'm going to miss being on the track with them, but I can't wait to watch them succeed in their future endeavors.
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: Don't take anything for granted. You never know when a race could be your last. Always give everything your 100%!
Q: What kind of impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: Not only have my coaches shaped me into a better athlete, but they have also shaped me into a better person as well. They have taught me that on and off the track, nothing will come easy and that I need to work for what I want.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I am currently undecided as to where I will be attending college, but I plan to continue my athletic career and study biology.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I would like to say thank you to Coach Wilson. I don't feel like I give her the credit she deserves. She is one of the most caring people I know. She always keeps the best interest of her athletes at heart. She is the reason I'm in the position I am at right now. So, thank you, Coach Wilson, for all the love, support, and even for the tough workouts, I didn't always enjoy.
I'd also like to thank my hurdle coach, Coach Brown, for seeing potential in a girl who ran 21 in the 100m hurdles. He has always pushed me to go after my goals and would go above and beyond to help me reach those. Thanks for always believing in me as a person, as well as believing in my ability as a hurdler.
Also, I'd like to thank my parents for never failing to support me even though they didn't know very much about track. Despite this, they are always proud of my performances whether I think I did good or bad. I wouldn't have been able to run without them giving me rides and paying for my equipment.
Lastly, I would like to thank my coaches, my family, teammates, and anyone else who has supported me through my track career.