West Ashley High School senior Cornelius Gallon has been on the Boys Varsity Track team for the past two years. At his most recent meet, Gallon jumped an amazing 44’ 11” for second place. Throughout the season, Gallon has almost always made it in the top three during meets. For this reason, he was nominated to be the Athlete of the Week. “It’s spectacular,” said Gallon when he learned he’d earned the title.
Track & Field Coach Douglas O’Donald was impressed with Gallon’s performance this season, which is why he nominated to be the Athlete of the Week. “CJ is a great athlete,” says O’Donald. “He plays football and has improved yearly in the long and triple jump. He has progressed tremendously over his career despite having to coach himself a majority of the time. Finishing second in the State as pretty much a self-taught jumper is very impressive on any level.”
Gallon has been pleased with his overall performance this season, but he is most proud of making it to the State Track Meet last year; he finished in second place. He says his grandmother is his biggest motivator. “She pushes me to strive to be the best,” says Gallon. He is also motivated by his teammates and everyone he competes against. “The people and competition around me pushes me to be better,” says Gallon.
Competition seems to be fuel for Gallon, which explains why he plays more than one sport; he is also a dedicated member of West Ashley High’s Varsity Football Team. He enjoys both sports, but feels that the one-on-one aspect of track & field sets it apart from football. “[Track & Field] is just in my element,” says Gallon. “Everybody out there is kinda cool.”
Balancing schoolwork and sports is easy for Gallon. He is faithful to his title: student-athlete. “Track is second after school,” says Gallon. “I make sure to get my schoolwork done first.” Putting schoolwork first is important for any athlete, because if they can’t make the grade, they can’t compete.
In addition to focusing on school and sports, Gallon also holds a part-time job at Papa John’s Pizza and commits to going to the gym to work on his leg strength. He also likes to hang out with his friends, play video games, and watch football and basketball.
Gallon is thinking about trying to continue competing in track & field in college, but he isn’t sure where he wants to go. He has considered Limestone University and the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Wherever Gallon ends up, he plans to major in Computer Programming. We wish Gallon the best of luck going forward, wherever he chooses to go, and we hope he continues to excel on the track and in the classroom.
