I started running at 10 years old the year I believe it was the summer 1995. I didn’t start competing until I was 11 years old.

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High School Poly Prep

Sophomore Year

state record holder in LJ

State Indoor Champ (LJ & 4x200)

3rd at Indoor nationals LJ

USATF National Champ LJ (World Youth Champs Qualifier)

3rd place at Penn Relays (1st American finisher)

5th place at Outdoor Nationals

 

Junior Year 

1st at Golden West invitational LJ

2nd at Indoor Nationals (LJ & 4x200)

World Youth Championship Participant LJ (Debrecen, Hungary)

3rd in Penn Relays Championship of America 4x100 (small schools)

1st at Penn Relays LJ

 

Senior Year 

1st back to back Golden West Champ in LJ

National Indoor Champ LJ

National Outdoor Champ SMR

Armory Record Holder (at the time)

Super Prep All American (football)

#6 prospect out of NY State (football)

HS Academic achievement- National Honor Society

Received at Football Scholarship to Georgia Tech. Competed in both track & football. Transferred to Kent State after red shirt sophomore year. Finished competing only in track at Kent State

 

Georgia Tech

Had 3 top 5 finishes at ACC Champs

 

Kent State

2 x NCAA Mideast Regional Qualifier (LJ & 4x100)

3 x 2nd All-MAC conference

2x Academic All-MAC conference

Graduated Cum Laude (3.59) From Kent State.

Received Bachelors’ in Business Management & Marketing

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Career

Currently I work fot American Income Life and I am a regional director overseeing the Atlanta operations.

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Philanthropy

Over the past 9 working years and even in college, I participated in several volunteer and community service ventures.

Habitat for Humanity

March of Dimes

Susan G Komen Breast Cancer

Toys for Tots

Various Food banks

 

How has There To Care - The Camp impacted your life?

The Camp has taught me the value of discipline, hard work, and humility—you can identify your true self in defeat. I have learned so many lasting lessons as a boy running, through various hard-fought victories and even more through ugly gut-wrenching defeats, that I still carry with me today as a man. The Camp and being a member of the TTC showed me the value of having the backs of those in the fight with me. There is nothing like sacrificing for your brother in arms out on the battlefield of competition! I have been very fortunate to be on many relays with some incredible competitors, but nothing comes close to the internal battle I faced every time I walked out onto the track. I remember vividly always getting so nervous NOT before any major event or even on my last jump in the finals at huge meet, BUT at practice.  I would get the most nervous at practice (whether it was solo or with a few other runners) on the 2nd to last rep of whatever workout I was doing. I was never nervous because the workouts were tough (and they were!) but no matter whether it was 200,300, or 400 repeats, I already knew I was ready to do WHATEVER to finish the set. So the 2nd to last one would always be the hardest for me mentally because I knew I had ONE MORE. I also knew I was always going to go all out on the last one anyway, so whether I had to be dragged off the track or whatever (TRUE STORY!), I would hit or surpass whatever I was trying to hit on that one. The penultimate rep was a weird space for me because I had to find a way to have a similar effort as the last one, but still have something left. I learned all this at The CAMP and TTC, which gave me a place to perfect this mentality. A mentality that has led to much, if not all, future success I have had in my adult life. Vinny was a guiding force in my maturation as a runner and as a man. Vinny started as coach & mentor and has evolved to part of my family. Vincent Giles is family to me.

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