Page 18 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine 2020 Spring - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
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Senior Senior

Wesley Kirton

My Role Model

by Josiah Asbill

retreated back down the Coach Kirton has not only pushed me
runway. I took a deep breath, in track, but also in Cross Country.
and then tried again, only The mental side of running long
to end in a scratch. I was distance is challenging, and I found
very disappointed, and my myself mentally exhausted. However,
hen I was asked to write confidence was shot. Coach Kirton helped me to push
about a role model in my myself through it and to gain physical
Wlife, I immediately thought As I was walking back for my third and mental toughness. After one
about my track and field coach, Coach and final attempt, Coach stopped me. particularly hard day, he told me
Kirton. He has helped me to be the “Josiah, you have already won the that he liked having me on the cross-
best version of myself and taught meet. You have worked hard all year, country team because I was a great
me how to compete to the best of my and the only thing stopping you right leader, and I pushed my teammates to
abilities. Coach K has helped me to now is your own head. Just relax.” succeed. This compliment meant more
be successful this past year in my first Encouraged, I knew he was right. I had than nearly any award could have. It
Varsity District Track meet. Going into the ability, but for some reason, I was blessed me beyond measure for him to
the meet, my highest vault was 11’6”. doubting myself. As I stared down the pull me aside to speak into my life.
This would have been good enough to runway once more, my coach's words
get me past district; however, I did not rang in my head. I took a deep breath Going into high school, I always
want to settle for mediocre; I knew I and ran as fast as I could at the very wanted to be a youth pastor because
had higher heights within me. cross bar that had caused the doubt I wanted to mentor youth who didn’t
inside. Everything was a blur, and as have a father in their lives. But after
As I started clearing the lower heights, I landed on the mat, I saw that the bar three and a half years running track
I felt as if something about how I was had not fallen; it was sitting as calm as for Coach Kirton, my vision for the
vaulting was just off somehow. I didn’t before. That day, I went on to clear 13’ future has shifted. Now, I am going
feel like myself. However, I ignored -- 1 ½' higher than my previous best. to be attending West Texas A&M to
these feelings as I achieved greater I realized that all along I had had the pursue a coaching career, just like my
heights. Soon enough, I found myself ability, but I needed to learn to trust coach. Coach Kirton was someone who
staring at the crossbar that was 11’6”. the training that my coach had instilled reached out to all students; therefore,
My first attempt ended with a miss. in me. I want to be a coach instead of youth
Discouraged, I picked up my pole and

18 Amarillo Senior Link