Cheering from afar: Randolph Ross' family holds watch party as he competes at Tokyo Olympics
Posted July 31, 2021 11:40 p.m. EDT
Garner, N.C. — Garner High School graduate and NC A&T runner Randolph Ross competed in the qualifying heats for 400-meter race on Saturday night.
He didn't advance to the semi-finals, but his family said they are thrilled to see what’s next for the 20-year-old athlete.
"I'm very excited," said his mother Kris Ross.
She said that son’s journey to the Olympics started at an earlier age.
He joined a youth track club when he was seven years. Ross also played football and basketball, but maintained a passion for running.
"His path [and] his journey has been long, but he's actually had a passion for it so much," said Kris Ross. "Our family history is really deep in track and field."
Ross’s father played a major role in coaching him.
Ross currently attends NC A&T State University and graduated from Garner High School in 2019.
"We continue to watch our alumni. There's plenty of them out there doing great things. He's added to the list. The Olympics -- that's a whole different level," said Garner High School athletic director Jeff Dunbar.
As Ross raced in Tokyo, he had his own cheering section in Garner.
"I pray over him all the time ... just to make sure he's keeping his balance," said Kris Ross.
Other local athletes who ran in the qualifying meet on Saturday included Steven Solomon for Australia who went to Duke University and Trevor Stewart for the U.S. who also went to N.C. A&T.
