Athlete Spotlight

by Alec De Yong ’20

During his years as a Bearcat, DeMontez McCray has more than impressed. Among his numerous impressive times and finishes, he has made a name for himself in McKendree’s athletic history books, despite the fact that he didn't start running track until his sophomore year at O’Fallon High School. The eight time All-American dominated in the 200-meter dash, finishing in the top ten all four years at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2016-2019 and fourth, sixth, and seventh place at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2016-18. He also finished in seventh place in the 100-meter and fifth place in the 4x100-meter relay at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships. At the conference level, he was named the GLVC Indoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the GLVC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2017 and 2018, as well as the GLVC Outdoor Freshman of the Year in 2016.

DeMontez has achieved all this, despite dealing with concussions and hamstring injuries sporadically throughout his career. The injuries are hardly the biggest obstacle DeMontez has faced, however. It was just this year that he lost his older brother. “I overcome things just by working harder and staying focus. These situations shape me and make me grow,” he shared.