Belleville East track and field standout Tamar Mosby to attend Drake University
Belleville East senior Tamar Mosby recently made a decision that will no doubt have an impact on the rest of her life when she chose to attend Drake University where she will compete in track and field.
But with her dad, Raymond, a former East St. Louis and Long Beach State University standout who played professional basketball in Australia and her older sister Montira, currently playing college basketball at Truman State University, the decision to give up hoops was tough.
“I love playing basketball. But I love track and field too and I had more offers to compete in track,’’ Tamar Mosby said last week. “I’m totally excited about going to Drake. It’s a great school its a place where I’ll get a great education and be able to keep improving in track and field.’’
Seventh in the high jump at the Class 3A State Track and Field Meet a year ago, Mosby has already bettered the 5 feet 5 inches she cleared in Charleston last May. With a school (indoors) mark of 5-6 already to her credit this season, Mosby and has her sights set on hopefully being in the 5-9 to 5-10 range by the time the ‘16 state finals roll around in a little over a month from now.
“I’m working really hard with my jumps coach at Belleville East. We’re looking at the 6-foot mark and we’re hitting the weights really hard to strengthen my legs so I can get more lift when I jump,’’ Mosby said.
“I’d like to win the state championship. It usually takes 5-8 or 5-9 to win it or at least have a chance at winning it. I know we’re talking about two or three inches and that’s quite a bit. But I feel like if I can stay focused and keep getting stronger, that I’ve got a chance.’’
The decision
Mosby, who also considered Murray State University, St. Louis University and the University of Nevada, said Drake fits her needs.
A perennial track and field power which annually hosts the world famous Drake Relays, Drake is a small private NCAA Division I school located in Des Moines, Iowa.
“I don’t know how many students it has, but it’s not that big. The student/teacher ratio is excellent and its a place where I can get a great education. I’m planning on majoring in business administration with an emphasis on pre-law. My goal is to be a Civil Rights attorney someday,’’ Mosby said.
“Athletically, the track program is great and I’m very excited about working with the coaching staff. They recruited me to high jump. I also run the 400 meters and would maybe like to try and long jump as well. But we’ll see what happens.’’
Time as a Lancer running down
As excited as Mosby is about moving on to the next level, she’s also sad that her high school days at Belleville East are coming to an end. Mosby said the memories she will take with her while competing in volleyball, track and field and basketball are things she cherish along with being a member of Belleville East girls track coach Bryan Mitchell’s last Lancers team.
Mitchell is retiring from teaching and coaching at the end of the ‘15-16 school year.
“It’s very special to me to be a member of his final team. Coach Mitchell is such a great coach and very good person. He’s helped me so much with my jumping and been there for me,’’ Mosby said. “I’ve met so many great people with diverse backgrounds here at Belleville East and all of teachers and coaches have been great and very supportive.’’
Dean Criddle: 618-239-2661, @CriddleDean
This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Belleville East track and field standout Tamar Mosby to attend Drake University."