On occasion individual talent is good enough to win in sports. But when talent is matched with inspiration there’s no denying an athlete of his goals. A gold medal example of talent and motivation defines the races won this spring by Alfonso Barraza.

The 2021 Durant senior won two gold medals at the OSSAA state track meet including the first place finish in the 800 meter run in a time of 1:58.87 and joined fellow senior Dawson Reed, junior Dawson Bowman and sophomore Brycen Ward to win the 4×800 meter relay gold medal in a time of 8:09.30, almost 10 seconds ahead of the field.  Barraza also finished fourth in the 1600m run on the big stage at the state championships.

Barraza says the results come from hard work and the added inspiration of a friend.

“All the work and unseen hours which people didn’t see, the sacrifices, the hard workouts prepared me for the state meet,” replied Barraza describing the emotions of winning the gold medals. “It was something bigger than me. My close friend Kaleb’s (Ford) passing gave me an added motivation. I had to win it for him. I felt like I didn’t have a choice other than win. I wanted to just give up everything to make it happen. It paid off.”

Ford was one of four Durant student athletes that were tragically killed in an automobile crash in May 2020.

Describing himself as funny, tough and outstanding, “Fonz” confirms his results are part of the DNA of his personal character.

“A person of character is someone who is willing to sacrifice and their will is bigger than themselves,” said Barraza who will continue to run the race on the collegiate level at North Central Texas College in Gainesville. “It’s a person who wishes other well and is also willing to work. For me that meant wanting to succeed as bad as you want to breathe.”

The efforts and results of Alfonso Barraza speak for themselves and leave a legacy for others to follow when wearing the red and blue colors of the Durant Lions in sports and everyday life.