The Mental Race: Dom Decina

SEATTLE -- Cross country and wrestling are sports that are sure to test a person's mental strength just as much as their physical abilities. This difficult aspect could cause many athletes to falter, but not senior cross country runner Dom Decina.

Decina is an athlete at O'Dea High School who carries a big load as he tries to make it to state in his final year of high school.

As Decina reaches the final stretch of a cross country race, every step tests his endurance, discipline, and determination.

Decina started his high school athletic career as maybe not the strongest athlete, but he was determined to push through these obstacles by getting through difficult practices and building a tough mentality.

As a multisport athlete, Decina finds ways to connect his success in cross country to competing in wrestling later in the school year.

As much as the sports differ, Decina sees the connection in these two sports, explaining that “they are both mental games you just have to stay in them as long as you can.”

Decina understands that competing in these sports isn't easy, but he finds a way to push through the rough stretches with his strong mentality.

Cross country is an important sport to Decina for many reasons, but he loves the control he has over his own success. It is unique to him because "you have your own goals", and it's not just up to your teammates to help you out.

He also believes the sport truly tests him because he gets to be “independent”, and his accomplishments are based on his own efforts. Decina enjoys being able to control his own outcome and stay on the right path while working toward his goals.

Throughout his cross country season, Decina has continued to push himself, with one of his biggest accomplishments being breaking seventeen minutes in a 5K.

Decina credits much of his success in cross country to his ability to “stay in a routine” and avoid distractions while working toward his goals.

As he approaches the end of his final high school season, Decina is looking forward to continuing to push himself and achieving even bigger accomplishments.