82 The QUEE NS Courier • SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com sports Bayside welcomes home Olympic track and field stars and Cardozo HS alumnae Photo: Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS (Inset) Olympic athletes Deajah Stevens and Dalilah Muhammad answering a Cardozo student’s question. Dalilah Muhammad speaks to the assembly. By Suzanne Monteverdi smonteverdi@qns.com/@smont76 Bayside students saw gold when two track and field Olympians returned to their roots in Queens and spoke about their race to greatness. A full auditorium of students and staff at Benjamin Cardozo High School in Bayside welcomed home Olympic athletes and alumnae Dalilah Muhammad and Deajah Stevens on Sept. 13 during a celebration of their accomplishments in Rio, on the track, and in life. “We have honored guests here today that we think the world of, that we are so proud of,” said school principal Meagan Colby. “Cardozo is a place where student athletes come, thrive and become Olympians.” Muhammad, 26, and Stevens, 21, were congratulated by their high school track coaches, Ray James, Anthony West and Gail Emmanuel — an Olympic athlete herself. Each were happy to share stories about the two women’s athleticism and character. James noted that after graduation, Muhammad came back to the school on multiple occasions to mentor Cardozo’s incoming track athletes. “Dalilah was a tremendous role model,” James said. “It was such a gift for the new athletes coming in.” James also had kind words for Stevens, who he knew since she was in the eighth grade. “Fastest girl ever to come out of New York City in the 100 -meter dash,” proclaimed James. “She’d run 11.04 seconds. And that’s the 100; that’s not even her !” At the end of the celebration, the two athletes engaged in a question-and-answer session with some curious Cardozo students. When asked what advice she would give to student athletes who are striving to compete at the Olympic level, Muhammad cited perseverance. “The best advice I can give to someone is: fall in love with the process of getting there,” she expressed. “Because if you don’t love the process, you know, it’s just not going to happen.” Stevens was asked how she fits rest and nutrition into her busy schedule. “Well, resting isn’t ever an issue, because I’m always tired,” joked Stevens. “But eating well — trust me — it makes a difference. It makes you feel better entirely. Your whole body — your training gets better; everything gets better.” Muhammad won gold in Rio for the women’s track and field 400 meter hurdles. Stevens finished seventh in the finals for the women’s 200-meter race. Principal Colby presented the two athletes with ceremonial “Keys to Cardozo,” the first time the school has ever made such a gesture. Muhammad and Stevens also received commendations and certificates from numerous New York City politicians, including Assemblyman Ron Kim, Congresswoman Grace Meng and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
QC09152016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above