Sioux Falls Christian sophomore Isaac Davelaar making the most of his abilities
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (BVM) — Even though the track and field season is well underway, Isaac Davelaar is still being recognized for his accomplishments during the fall cross country season. The Sioux Falls Christian sophomore was named the 2020-21 Gatorade South Dakota Boys Cross Country Player of the Year back in April.
“It was pretty crazy, I really wasn’t expecting it but I was glad for it,” Davelaar said. “It was a really nice surprise.”
It was well deserved. Davelaar had a historic cross country season, breaking school records at all nine courses he raced. The sophomore also won eight of his 10 races as well as the DAK XII Conference and the Region 2A championship. At state, Davelaar’s second-place finish helped lead the Chargers to a state title in the middle of a blizzard and their score of 26 points was a Class A state meet record.
“I’m really proud of them; they did a great job,” Davelaar said. “We worked with each other really well.”
Davelaar’s accomplishments were not goals that he had specifically set out to accomplish, but rather side effects of his overarching goal to be the best that he could be.
“The goal was always to be as good as I could be and hopefully through that some college scholarship would come through that,” Davelaar said. “That was probably the goal I wouldn’t say I knew I could do but I definitely aimed for that.”
That all began back in seventh grade when Davelaar first went out for the cross country team. Along with the running, he enjoyed the team camaraderie and was quickly hooked on the sport.
“I love the atmosphere here,” Davelaar said. “I think that’s one thing SFC does really nicely. We have a good team, not only in running but we have good team chemistry and that’s what I love.”
It was then that he realized his potential and began to train to maximize what he would be able to do. It hasn’t been an easy journey but it is one that Davelaar is committed to. He understands the gift he has been given and each day he pushes himself to make sure he is not squandering that gift.
“I think that God gave me an ability and it would be a waste if I only put a half-hearted effort into that,” Davelaar said. “I would say that if I’m going to do something I’m going to do it with my all, especially something I enjoy as much as running.”
This mentality has led to his quick ascension in the sport. As a freshman, Davelaar finished sixth at state and then this year he took over. Besides his mentality, Davelaar also credits the added training his team took part in due to the track season being canceled last year.
That added time in combination with their coaches’ workout plans for each of them played a role in the team’s overall success last fall.
However, track is finally back and Davelaar wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I almost forgot what the track was like,” Davelaar said.
It has been a longtime since any Charger has been out on the track,but the team has been building chemistry and is looking strong. Davelaar himself has been running well and is developing a love for one particular event.
“I am starting to love the eight (800-meter run),” Davelaar said. “I have had some really fun races in the past few weeks.”
He ranks in the top-five in the 800 currently and in the top-five for the 1600. With the postseason quickly approaching, Davelaar is hitting his stride, but just like in cross country Davelaar isn’t focused on winning. All he wants is to do his best.
“I want to cross that finish line and I want to know that I did my all and that I left it all out there,” Davelaar said. “If I do that I don’t think there is anything more I can ask for.
