The first Senior Spotlight of the week shines on boy’s track and field’s Emmanuel Udotong. Here is what we learned about Emmanuel:
Udotong will be attending Princeton University in the fall to major in computer science. He also hopes to gain experience in business and/or finance.
Cinn City Sports: Will you take part in any sports in college?
Udotong: I want to focus on the other aspects of college, so I won’t be competing in varsity sports, but I’d love to participate in intramural activities.
Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead
Favorite song or artist: Never Let Me Down by Kanye West
Favorite Movie: A Bronx Tale
Favorite post-game meal: Spaghetti
CCS: What was your favorite class at CHS?
Udotong: My favorite class has been Statistics with Mr. Mike Perekupka. He was a great teacher and extremely passionate about his work, and that made the class much more interesting.
CCS: What made you take part in track and field?
Udotong: Way back in fifth grade, I remember seeing my brother, Isaiah, come home from middle school track meets with medals around his neck. I always wanted to experience what it was like to race other kids and to bring home a medal.
CCS: Most memorable moment from high school athletic career?
Udotong: It has to be finishing 6th in the 4x400m relay at the Indoor State Track Meet this year to qualify for the Meet of Champions for the second year in a row. After two seniors on our relay team graduated, we never imagined that we could make it to the MOC’s again. But we just stayed focused on one meet at a time and continued pushing the limits in practice workouts. In the end, all our season’s hard work came to fruition with the best time in years and a ticket to the Meet of Champs.
CCS: What is your favorite time of the day and why?
Udotong: Really early in the morning because there’s no opportunity for procrastination. I’m forced to get moving.
CCS: Who has had biggest influence on your athletic career?
Udotong: My older brother, Isaiah, has definitely had the biggest influence on my athletic career. At first, he was just a role model and a seemingly untouchable leader. But I always did my best to stay on his heels and that brought the best out of me. Little by little, I closed the gap between us until he was no longer just someone for me to follow. He became a rival – someone that I could legitimately compete with. And now that he’s graduated, I still compete against the times that he left behind. No doubt, his presence motivated me to be the hard worker that I am today.
CCS: Do you prefer one sport over another?
Udotong: I’ve tried many sports in the past including football, basketball, and wrestling, but track is the only one that I’ve stuck with. It’s the only sport that’s inspired a passion in me. You know you love a sport when you actually look forward to practice everyday and when you’re constantly seeking opportunities to get better.
Image courtesy of Emmanuel Udotong
