At Butler community college there are a variety of sports and activities that students are involved in. Athletes continue to pursue their passion in sports such as track and field, basketball, football, baseball, soccer and more. This year, track regionals were at Pittsburg University and student athletes left on Friday, Feb 16. through Sunday. Feb 18.
“The most challenging aspect of my event is mentally preparing for it,” Farinha said. “Staying focused and reminding myself to track my training is what helps me overcome the mental obstacles in my event.”
He intends on winning all of the events he enters in and chasing the school 200m record. Farinha stays focused by listening to music and trusting himself and the coach. His most memorable highlight in running track is representing his country, Trinidad and Tobago internationally. He reminds himself that he needs to stay motivated through all the hard work he has put in.
“I’ve faced many setbacks, which were really tough to overcome mentally, but I reminded myself of the reason why I put myself through all of the hard work, which keeps me motivated to overcome them,” Farinha said.
A particular athlete or role model that inspired him is his friend Deon Lendore. Everyday he continues to look up to him and the impact he has made to him and in the sport. Farinha mentions some advice to someone who is considering getting involved in track and field. He enjoys seeing everyone in their natural competitive state.
“Advice I would give to anyone interested in track and field is, understand that improvement takes time and patience,” Farhina said. “Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or plateaus in your progress. The key for success is consistency and once you are consistent, it’ll carry you far.”
Student athlete Star Paragon is very grateful to be a part of track and has been glad to make it this far. She was looking forward to regionals and looking forward to what God has in store for her. She competed in the 800m, the four by eight, the 4×4 relay, the distance medley relay (DMR) and the 600m. Paragon wants to retain her title as a regional champion and still lower the score indoor 800m meter record.
“Coming into the United States I came in as a 400 meter athlete and got injured and my coach asked me to do the 600 meters, which is good news to me,” Paragon said. “But I must say, having to combine speed and distance is kind of something I’m still trying to get into. Challenges still come but I would say overcoming it has just been having the peace of God.”
A specific goal for her is returning her title as a regional champion, still lower the score record and the DMR. She wants her team to win. To stay focused and motivated she constantly reminds herself of bible verses such as Hebrews 11:11. Paragon mentions in the bible that God gave a woman strength so she always replaced her name and thought of God giving her strength like he gave the women in the bible.
“I wouldn’t lie to you because being an athlete at that point in time, your emotions are something else,” Paragon said. “If you don’t take care of yourself, you might get into depression, but the peace of God has just been what has helped.”
A particular athlete and role model to her is Sydney Mclaughlin. She says it is not because of her events, but because of how much she portrays God through track. She wants people to see the glory of God through what she does.
“My advice would be, you want to be focused, you want to be determined, and most importantly you want to hold on to God,” Paragon said. “Why I say so is because the hurdles and challenges of trial confusion sometimes can push you to a stage that you might even ask yourself if he was a mistake, but that is where the peace of God please. A higher rule and like the Bible says, he says, our steps are ordered by him. So once you come in and hand everything over to him and you put in the work, dedicated and disciplined, most definitely everything that athlete ever dreamed of is going to be a reality. It’s just time and patience.” “I would say coming out here every day and doing what I love and seeing these wonderful people who are my teammates. My coach, having him come out here every day and constantly believing in me, is something I’m grateful for and being able to showcase God given talent to is something I am most grateful for. and honored to be,” Paragon said.
The next meet was nationals in Florida on March 1 and 2. Star Paragon walked away with 4 All American recognitions. 600m 1:32.72 (School record) 800 2:15.47 (Indoor school record) 4×400, 4×800
