Waycross Middle School eighth-grader Paloma Mobley didn’t really know what she was missing with track. She didn’t run track as a sixth-grader but was encouraged by coaches to run as a seventh-grader, and it turned out she was pretty good.
Pretty good is an understatement compared to Mobley’s track performance this past season.
“Paloma is a good athlete. She has a very good work ethic in practice. She is also a good student. I periodically check in on my athletes in the classroom and she’s always involved and working,” Waycross Middle School head football coach and athletic director Kevin Stevenson.
The daughter of Willie and Cynthia Mobley of Waycross, Mobley competed in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, shot put, and the 4 x 400 relay this season.
“During the season we were moving some people around and trying to find events that fit each athlete. Paloma could throw the shot put, the discus, she could run the 100, 200, and long jump. She is a very well-rounded athlete. She also has a lot of guts. She ran the 4×400 in a race this year and pulled us from fourth to first in the race, and when she crossed the finish line, she was gassed. That was a prime example of someone determined to win,” Stevenson says.
Mobley remembers the race Stevenson referred to. It was the last regular-season meet before the conference championship meet. Mobley has the ability to put a lot of points up for her team just from her events alone.
“I am blessed to be able to do as many of the events [as] I do and help my team. This year I ran the 4×100-relay almost on accident. We were getting ready to do the event and one of the girls on the relay team had gone to the bathroom, so Coach Stevenson just put me in,” Mobley says.
Running the last leg of the relay, as soon as Mobley felt the baton hit her hand, she took off and gave every bit of energy she had, and ended up helping her team win the race. “Running track has taught me to never give up on your gifts. You don’t know what you [are] blessed with and it’s important to use those gifts you are blessed with. I want to experience as much as I can,” Mobley says.
Though track is now one of her main sports that she continues to train individually for, her first love is basketball.
“I’ve always loved and played basketball. We had a great basketball season this year and finished runner up to Jeff Davis for the conference championship. I am really grateful to my basketball coach, Alicia Gibson. She has been a great coach and taught me a lot and made me a better player,” Mobley says.
Mobley plans to continue playing basketball when she gets to Ware County High School next year. If competing in a string of track and field events besides playing basketball was not enough to keep Mobley busy, she also plays singles and doubles tennis.
“I want to get the most out of my extracurricular activities at school. It keeps me busy but I enjoy it,” Mobley says.
She is also a very strong student at Waycross Middle School. Her favorite subject is science.
“I’ve had good teachers that have helped me. I really want to give a shout out to Coach Stevenson. He is one of the main reasons that I started running track. He has encouraged and pushed me to be the best I can be and that is something that is going to always help me in life,” Mobley says.
Mobley is considering playing volleyball next fall at Ware County High School, which will give her a sport for each season of the school year.
“I see Paloma having a bright future in basketball and track. I am encouraging her to play volleyball in the fall and I see her being a three-sport star for Ware County,” Stevenson says.
Mobley says playing sports and working hard in the classroom has influenced her life.
“There are no limits on what I can accomplish if I am willing to work hard for it. All of these experiences have helped me to better myself. No limits in sports and no limits to whatever dreams I have,” Mobley says.
SE-RS-5.14-PalomaMobley
No limits
By John Wood
