Contact:
Chuck Johnson
Media Information Director
DPS Office of Athletics
chuck.johnson@detroitk12.org
313-870-5863
Mark Mayo will enter Monday’s Detroit Public School League boys’ cross country championship meet confident of victory. And why shouldn’t he be?
The Communication and Media Arts High senior has won every race at Belle Isle this dual meet season and will enter the championship meet not only as the favorite but also as the PSL Proud Strong Learner of the Week.
“I work hard at practice, I work hard in school. It’s about time I’m getting acknowledged for it,’’ Mayo said.
Mayo has been competing in cross country since his freshman year and has made steady improvement. “Last year, I was coming in second or third, but coming into this year I was going to make first no matter what. This is my senior year, so I’m going to go all out.”
As the PSL high jump champion and a guard for CMA’s varsity basketball team, Mayo balances his athletic endeavors with academics. He’s a 3.0 student and anticipates earning a college scholarship.
“I’m starting to get more looks (from college recruiters) as the season goes on,’’ he said. “When I go to college, I plan to major in Sports Medicine. I’m going to be a doctor.”
For his CMA cross country coach, Ann Turner, Mayo’s work ethic is just what the doctor ordered.
“Mark is just a phenomenal kid with excellent leadership qualities,’’ Turner said.
“He’s not just satisfied with being number one. He’s constantly trying to better himself. And he also does that with his teammates. He teaches my younger players what to do and how to try to better their self. He’s a team player all the way.”