Growing up in Portland and running track, it is a common dream to one day compete in the prestigious Twilight Relays held at Jesuit High School.
For Grant Valley, he thought his track career might be over after a gruesome football injury suffered in September during a game against West Linn. But after months of strenuous rehab and a second surgery that set him back, Valley makes his track return in the Twilight relays this weekend.
The Nike Twilight Relays is the most competitive track meet in the Pacific Northwest and attracts some of the premier athletes from around the country. Qualifying for Twilights is a huge honor and is very special to Jesuit track and field athletes as it takes place at Jesuit High School every year.
Going back to last summer, Valley was poised for a huge junior season in both football and track. His days consisted of training with former NFL cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu preparing for what he thought would be one of the most impactful seasons of his career.
That all changed on September 15, when Valley was coming down with a catch, when his leg awkwardly twisted in a way that a lot of people have never seen before. He suffered a broken leg and his season was suddenly over. At first, Valley immediately jumped to the worst possible scenario and began to question if he would ever be able to run again.
“Of course the injury was excruciating physically, but the real challenge that it had on me was the mental side of things,” Valley said. “I was scared that I wasn’t going to be able to run again or compete at a high level for the rest of my life.”
With troubling thoughts about his future, Valley hit a low point in his life and questioned whether he would continue to play competitive sports. However, with the support of his friends and family, his mindset quickly turned towards his recovery process and how he could return for track season.
Just when Valley thought he was taking a step in the right direction, track season approached and he had to get yet another surgery. The second surgery obviously set him back even further and more questions immediately began to creep back in about whether he would be able to accomplish his goals.
“Before surgery, I had high hopes for a big season,” Valley said. “My goals were to win Metro for the 100 meter, 200 meter, long jump, and 4x1and also place in state in all four events.”
After his second surgery and facing more adversity, Valley continued to stay positive and do what he knew how to do best: work even harder.
Valley took part in physical therapy every day after school, red light therapy, ice bathing and eating as healthy as he could.
“When I had my surgery that set me back, it made me work even harder,” Valley said. “I was at the MAC club every single day doing workouts in the pool, which was extremely tough, but I knew that it would help me return to the track and also help me in the long run.”
After nearly ending his competitive sports career, and giving up on his dream of one day being a college athlete, Valley put his head down, worked as hard as any athlete could and is now in position to compete in one of the premier events that he grew up watching.
“Twilights is a huge event,” Valley said. “It is hosted here at Jesuit so it is kind of inevitable that if you’re asked to run in Twilights, you’re gonna run.”
Although a huge event, Valley was hesitant on deciding if he was going to compete, because it is only his first week back fully sprinting, but he is feeling very confident and his body is feeling “fresh”.
Twilights mean more to Valley than most, because not only did he grow up watching, but his dad is track coach at Jesuit, so this event is a big deal to his family.
“It’s always been something that I’ve always dreamed about running in,” Valley said. “I competed in Twilights during my freshman year, but sophomore year I was hurt, so being able to run this year feels really good.”
Valley would normally be competing in the 100 meter and long jump in Twilights, but his injury has not allowed him to run this season, so he will only be competing in the 4×1.
After facing the toughest year in his sports career, Valley’s work ethic and determination to be able to bounce back and compete in a premier event is one of the more impressive stories that you will read this year.
Valley is already looking forward to his senior season in both football and track. He looks to make a deep playoff run under Ken Potter and break multiple school records on the track, all while drawing attention in both sports from college coaches.
Watch Valley compete on Friday, April 26 at Jesuit High School.
