Jalen Drayden is a senior with DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas. The Arizona State signee is amidst his final track and field season on the track with the Eagles -- who are state title contenders in the Lone Star State -- and he wrote a letter to running for MileSplit, sharing just where the sport has taken him over his career.
- - -
Dear Running,
Where did you come from?
In the short two and a half years that I have been competing, you have brought opportunities along with difficult choices. You have taught me not to be afraid of failure, but instead to use it as fuel. You have given me a slight taste of success.
Running, you've brought me to my all-time highs and thrown me my biggest obstacles.
My first year in track was filled with overwhelming success ... on accident. I decided to join the team at Dallas Bishop Dunne my sophomore year heading into spring football, to stay in shape. And in my school season, I went from running 11.2 in the 100 meters and 23.89 in the 200 meters, to running 10.89 and placing third in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 6A State Championships.
Seeing that my coaches and family saw potential, I decided to keep going, and I signed up for summer track. By the end of the summer, I placed third in the 100m at the USATF National Junior Olympic Championship with a time of 10.57. My relay team and I broke the age 15-16 national record in the 4x100m which had stood for 20 years, running 40.56 seconds.
Running, you showed me my potential.
Going into my junior year, I was looking to produce more big numbers! But I believe my head and chest got too big and God knew a way to humble me. I was sidelined in the first track meet of the season with a pulled hamstring.
In this injury, Running, you taught me even when I wasn't 100-percent that I could still compete with the best in the nation.
You taught me that track isn't just a physical sport but a mental challenge. That you win or lose a race on practices days and in the weeks before each competition.
You showed me that I cannot step on the track not fully focused, or complacent in practice, or even in a shakeout, or I will be in for a rude awakening.
Running, you have gotten me out of my slump, on and off the track.
In my junior year, I only improved my 100 time by .05 seconds. But that summer taught me how to persevere and keep working. I believe that if I continued put in the work that I would see the results when the time was right.
Running, you have taught me how to push my limits.
It is now my senior year at DeSoto High School and I have done nothing but train. I have dedicated most of my free time to extra work. Not playing football, it allowed me to use this fall as offseason work on my form, blocks, and to get into 'track shape.'
Running, you have given me a choice!
When I was playing football, I received some Division 1 offers, but they were not to places I could see myself going. Competing in track, and succeeding, has given me choices I've always wanted.
I ultimately chose a school that I will call home for the next four to five years of my life and I have no doubt that Arizona State University was the right choice for me.
Running... You're my new LOVE!
Sincerely,
Jalen Drayden
