Tallahassee, FL (WTXL) -- Devon Jackson is doing what he usually does--win. He is only twelve, but he has won more than 50 medals in his track career. His mom introduced him to track when he was just three years old.
"I used to run a lot when I was young," Jackson said. "Now since I've been running, I realized that I'm good at it."
Despite his love for track, Devon says he still loves football even more. He is a running back and going into the sixth grade. It can be difficult to keep kids like Devon committed to track and field for the long haul.
" During our practice for track, our coaches makes us do 400s, 300s, 200s," Jackson said. "It is tough, but football is more entertaining with like contact and stuff."
Most of the fans watching the AAU track meet, cover their bodies with golf umbrellas while watching their friends and family. The coaches at this meet say one of the biggest drawbacks to track is the weather. Especially days like Friday, without many clouds in the sky. It was 87 degrees with a high of 96 degrees.
"The biggest barriers are the sun," Wendell Jones said. Jones is the head coach of the Tallahassee Zoom Club.
"As you can see, there is no shade at the track today." Jones said. "The training as well. In track, there's no ball, there's no timeout and there's no halftime." Jones added.
Devon's coach, Alice Sims was a national track champion at Florida State in 1981. She also is his grandmother.
"Well I think it's because you see football all the time," Sims said. "When you look on TV do you see alot of track and field? You may see track and field a little bit, when it comes to the NCAAs or the olympics, but overall you see football."
Both coaches agreed to keep their kids passionate and excited about track, they just try to make their practices as fun as possible.
"The key is get them involved at a younger age," Jones said. "Help them realize their potential in the sport and just grow the love of the sport for them."
"With practices and stuff we try to keep it diverse," Sims said. "We try to keep it so they aren't doing the same things."
Coach Jones said you have to pick the sport that you excel at the most. That can be different sports for different athletes.
"My saying is you gotta love the sport that loves you back" Jones said. "So if track is more beneficial to you then you should love track. If football is more beneficial for you, I think you should love football.
Devon still loves both. His goal is to run track and field and play football at Florida State one day.
