Jonathan Grant is a young man on the run. His fleet-footed talents have him ahead of the pack in Queens’ track and field circuit, while his cool demeanor has him collecting friends across the borough and Long Island along the way.
It is easy drawing a band of followers when you’re billed as the “Fastest Kid in Queens,” as Grant, 8, was after he won the adidas Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island on June 12.
Grant, who lives on the Queens border in Valley Stream, is a star at the Boys Club of New York (BCNY) in Flushing with the Abbe Panthers. His coach, Kalif Person, said that Grant is by far one of the most talented runners for his age that he has ever trained.
“A lot of runners display their talents at a young age,” said Person. “But Jonathan is faster than some of the 11 year olds.”
According to Person, the mini-speedster is on track for an open-ended future because track and field is unique in its ability to prepare youth for other activities.
“Track is the only sport that prepares you for all other sports,” said Person. “Basketball doesn’t prepare you for baseball; baseball doesn’t prepare you for basketball. But track can prepare you for both.”
It’s all about conditioning and Person believes that Grant is currently being conditioned to compete on the highest of levels. Through BCNY, Grant is a member of the New York Young Runners (NYYR), an organization dedicated to enhancing the health and fitness of children in the community.
“In this era of childhood obesity, getting kids moving regularly is critically important,” said Cliff Sperber, NYRR Youth and Community Services Director. Our goal is to instill the healthy habit of running, and by doing so improve fitness, combat obesity and build self-esteem and character – vital components of a quality education.”
The cool and collected Grant has been staying fit and healthy with track since an early age, and so has his education. Grant attends Shaw Avenue School in Valley Stream and his parents believe sports have helped him focus and keep his grades up.
“Like any kid, Jonathan can be a little rambunctious,” said his father Derek. “Track is good because it gives him goals. His coach checks his report cards and Jonathan knows that if there’s a problem in school, he can’t run.”
He also knows that there are rewards to be had if he does well in school and on the track. Pam, his mother, said that it’s good to have a reward system because it gives kids that extra bit of motivation they might need in order to get to the next level.
It’s a philosophy she also practices with Jonathan’s two older brothers, Juston and Jason, who are also sports stars in their own right.
“Sports keep them healthy, but the rewards are also a great motivator,” said Pam. “For Jonathan, it’s money. He likes money and loves to count his change.”
Monetary gain aside, Person believes Grant is gaining a perspective on life through track that can help him through the many starts and stops of life.
“Pressure situations in sports prepare you for pressure situations in life,” he said. “He’s won plenty, but he’s also had his share of losses. You don’t want them to lose all of the time, but they have to know that the competition is going to keep challenging them.”
While life lessons abound in sports, Person and Grant’s parents also know that having fun is probably the most important aspect in a child’s life, and that need is nurtured in organized sports.
“At this age, you want to make sure the kids are having fun,” said Person. “We want them to keep coming back, so we have a lot of fun activities for them here at BCNY.”
For Grant, the most fun he can have is hoisting trophy after trophy on his way to becoming the ultimate track star. He counts running superstars Tyson Gay and Jesse Owens as two of his top heroes and wishes to win as they do, and have fun in the process.
“I want to win,” said Grant. “But I want my next trophy to be taller than me.”
To find out more about NYRR’s free school-based youth programs, visit www.nyrrf.org.
