By Derrick Smith

Parents can play a big role in the life of a high school student-athlete. Along with all the necessities of life, they make sure they get to practice, have the proper equipment, and are also their kids’ biggest cheerleader. Dallas Jurney says that his mom is the biggest role model in his life and that he is very thankful for her. 

“She has always been there for me,” he said. “She has taught me so much about life. She also helps me get through the hard times and is my best friend.”

Jurney is a freshman at Blackwell High School, where he is a multisport athlete. He throws shot and disc on the track team, while on the football field, he plays right guard. Dallas has been a part of both sports for about the same amount of time. He began playing football when he was in the sixth grade and started competing in track events one year later. 

The success that Jurney has experienced has not come without hard work, but he says that using the mindset of a job instead of a game has helped him to stay focused. 

“In my sports, I don’t treat it like a game,” he said. “Instead, I treat it like a job. I go out and get it done to the best of my ability and I try my best to keep the positive energy high. I also try to do my best to pick up my teammates when they are down.”

In the classroom, Dallas says that while he has had a lot of really great teachers, there is one that stands out as his favorite. 

“Mr. Culver is my physical science teacher,” he said. “He is really funny and I really like the way he teaches. He has taught me a lot about how things work and I have even used a lot of his teachings in my everyday life.”

When he is not competing in sports or working on schoolwork, Dallas enjoys going fishing and hunting for arrowheads.