Running with purpose

Sprinter Delwayne Delaney turns in his best season in dad’s memory.

Delwayne Delaney knew this season — his senior season — would be his most meaningful. But not just for himself.

“I dedicated this year, my last year at TCU, to my father, to his memory,” the returning All-American sprinter said. “He’s always been my inspiration.”

Delaney’s father, Joseph, died last fall of cancer in his native Conaree Village, St. Kitts, and before every meet, Delaney writes his father’s initials on his spikes.

“It’s just a personal thing I do,” he said. “I know he’s with me.”

Delaney has enjoyed his best season yet as a Horned Frog. It started in January when the returning All-American won the Indoor 60-meter sprint, an event he came up just short in a year before.

When the outdoor season began in the spring, Delaney kept up the pace. Three times he was the conference track athlete of the week.

He earned NCAA regional qualifying marks at the inaugural Horned Frog Invitational in March in the 100 meters and 4x100 relay and finished second in the 100 with a career-best clocking of 10.29. His time in the 100 was the third-best in the nation this season and fourth-best in conference history.

As a member of TCU's 4x100 relay team, Delaney helped the Flyin’ Frogs place second with a regional qualifying mark of 40.13.

Delaney also ran the second leg of TCU's 4x400 relay team that placed first with a time of 3:12.21.

At the conference championships, Delaney won the 100 and 200 meters and also ran the winning leg on TCU’s 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams that finished first. Delaney's success earned him the men's High Point Award.
Delaney has since qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 100 and 4x100 and 4x400 relays in early June.

Coach Darryl Anderson said he admires Delaney’s passion and strength.

“We’ve talked about it, but he knows I can’t relate. I haven’t lost my father as he has,” the coach said. “But if it helps him, then I am pleased to see him succeed.”

Delaney agrees.

“I will follow the advice he’s always told me: Keep your chin up and stay focused. I always do.” — RW

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