Talem Franco - BYU Track and Field
“I first discovered running in middle school with encouragement from my dad, who was a track star in high school. One of my brothers was a year older than me and had an affinity to football. We both promised each other that one day we would play and run for BYU. With the shocking and unexpected death of my older brother, I made it my commitment to run for BYU and fulfill that promise.”
“Competing for my brother is one of the many reasons why running for BYU means so much to me. Representing my God, my family, myself, and my deceased brother has made running for BYU all the more meaningful and influential in my life. It is a decision I do not regret.”
“As a senior, I aspired many audacious heights. I wanted to go sub-4 minutes in the mile, win a National championship title, make it to the US Olympic Trials, and represent my country in the Olympics in Tokyo. I knew each one of these steps would bring me one step closer to this dream. My dream.”
“At the end of January came the first barrier, the four-minute mile. As I came down the homestretch of the race and crossed the finish line with a time of 3:58, I was elevated with feelings of joy and excitement. I knew I had taken my first step to realizing my audacious dream.”
“Sadly, because of the pandemic, my dream came to an abrupt halt. The pandemic canceled the Indoor Track Championships and the outdoor season all-together. Then the Olympic trials and the Olympics were both postponed for a year. I was heart-broken. Confusion and frustration became my bitter companions for a while as I came to terms with my canceled senior year.”
“Despite the loss that I felt, I couldn’t deny myself and all the work that led me to where I was at that moment. I had always looked to a better, brighter future and I wasn’t going to stop here. The same day that everything was canceled was the same day that I decided to go to work: to run harder in order to make the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. This is what fuels me when confusion and frustration seek to make me falter. At times, I feel like they trip me up, but by remembering that distant dream, I rise back up. Yes, it is difficult and can be daunting and lonesome. But I choose to step forward, trusting in that better future.”
