Track and field is often seen as an individual sport, but it requires both physical and mental strength in ways that depend on the people around you. When I joined my high school track team as a shy freshman, I wasn’t sure where I fit. It was the largest team at my school, and everything about it felt new and a little overwhelming. I wasn’t even sure I would enjoy it. Still, I decided to try something different and joined the jumping team. From the beginning, my coach, James Wiggins, had a bigger impact on me than I expected. As a freshman, I didn’t have much confidence in myself as an athlete. I often questioned whether I was good enough to compete. But Coach Wiggins never seemed to doubt me. He believed I could succeed before I believed it myself. That was something I hadn’t experienced before, and it made a lasting difference. He didn’t just focus on improving my performance. He helped me build confidence and trust in myself. He encouraged me to take risks, to not be afraid of failure, and to keep pushing even when things felt uncomfortable. Over time, I started to improve in my events, and with that came a growing sense of confidence. Those moments of success meant more because I knew how far I had come mentally, not just physically. What stands out most to me is the time and effort he put into helping me grow. He spent countless hours working with me, correcting small details and encouraging me to keep going. But more importantly, he taught me what it means to be committed. He showed me that being part of a team is about more than just your own performance. It’s about showing up, supporting others, and being part of something bigger than yourself. He also pushed me to step outside my comfort zone socially, encouraging me to build friendships and connect with my teammates. The traits that David valued, like commitment, perseverance, and caring for others, are things I now try to live out in my own life. I’ve learned to stay committed, even when things get difficult or frustrating. I try to push through challenges instead of avoiding them. At the same time, I make an effort to support the people around me. Whether it’s encouraging a teammate or just being there for someone, I understand how much those small actions can matter. Joining track was intimidating at first, but it ended up becoming one of the most important experiences in my life. Coach Wiggins helped me grow not just as an athlete, but as a person. He helped me believe in myself, taught me the value of commitment, and showed me how important it is to be there for others. Those lessons have stayed with me, and they continue to shape how I approach challenges and how I treat the people around me.