Throughout my years at Colorado State University, I ran all the hurdle events, the 110 hurdles and 400 hurdles. I was on the relays a couple of times and then I took up long jump for my final year because of COVID.

I was lucky to have my teammates and my coaches who were very supportive, and it definitely impacted me a lot. My support system pushed and allowed me to be myself. I know a lot of other student athletes are not fortunate to have that experience.

Granted that there were times where it was very difficult, especially at Colorado State University, which is a predominantly white institution.

I identify as a Black man, and that representation wasn't there. Individuals who identified with that person of color identity, were individuals who were often also on sports teams. It was hard as student athletes, we have our different schedules, meeting times and trying to get to know a certain identity, affinity group, was very challenging.

I wanted to get to know individuals and see who they are as an individual and when I transferred to CSU, there wasn't much visibility of Queer Student athletes.

I didn’t know much about the LGBTQIA+ community there, although I knew that there was a resource center. So I made it a goal for myself to get connected with that resource center because it was a part of who I am and it was definitely something that I valued the most about myself.

[As told to @Ragi Gupta — continued tomorrow]