When junior sprinter De’Shawn Ballard was a kid, he would often find himself outside running around in the country. Given this upbringing, it is no surprise he decided to run track when he got into high school.
Early on in his high school career, Ballard wasn’t a star. He started running track at Laney High School in Wilmington his freshman year, but it took a couple of years before he started to develop into the athlete he is today.
“My junior year (is) when most of my development started coming along. That’s how (App State head track coach Damion) McLean recruited me, from my junior year,” Ballard said.