RICHMOND HILL, Ga. — With my son having just turned 7, I am developing quite the case of “proud Dad” syndrome. One recent experience of this was in the Spring Speed after school program led by coach Levi Sybert and a collection of committed student athletes at the High School. I watched the spark light up in my son as he really took to the track and pushed himself to be better each week. My proudest moment came when, at the end of program races which my son had talked about for weeks, he lined up in front of close to 1,000 people there to watch the Apex invitational. His shoe flew off half way through the 40 meter. He didn’t stop. He kept running. And when I caught up with him to return the shoe to what I expected to be a disheartened young boy, he smiled and said, “Did you see that, Dad!? I just kept running!” I was so proud of his attitude and how grown up he is becoming.

I was just one of many “proud Dads” there that evening. Another was Mr. Doug Overby, there to cheer on his son, Dylan, who I recognized as one of the students who had been helping my son throughout the sessions. Dylan, a Junior, ran a 9 minute and 55 second (9:55) time in the 2 mile placing him in 4th at the event and qualifying him for the May sectionals. Not only was Doug beaming with pride over Dylan’s ranking in the race, he also knew it had beaten his own personal best from his High School days where he ran a 10:36. Dylan also has his dad beat in the 1 mile with a personal best of 4:34, just 2 seconds faster than father.

Fact is, however, you don’t just go out and run at the times Dylan posted at the Apex. Quite frankly, his dedication blows me away. It takes making every one of the team’s morning runs this year where 13 year head coach, Levi Sybert, leads the morning’s motivation before the students begin their school day. Also, as self motivated as Dylan is, it takes supportive parents, the goal of beating his Dad’s times, their presence at every race, and the consistent conditioning with his mother who is an avid runner herself. In fact, his mother has been running with him since their days of being stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where they competed in military member 5ks. But, it mostly takes the relentless pursuit of excellence and that goal oriented attitude that his dad, Doug, loves to dote on. After making the switch from football to track in his Sophomore year, the season was suddenly cut short by the pandemic. New to the team, Dylan could have decided to cancel his training but instead he worked harder than ever and returned stronger.

As for the future, Dylan plans to continue running through his senior year. But, his mind is set on using his classroom performance to earn his way into West Point. The Overby’s value the experience of service and the leadership qualities developed from giving to something bigger than yourself. It’s that outlook on life that keeps student athletes, like Dylan Overby, a step ahead.

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