Keymani Dillingham preparing to say farewell to Saint Stephen’s and the Suncoast

BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - This week’s ABC7 Athlete of the Week is Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School’s (SSES) Keymani Dillingham. We first told you about her last summer when she was training and her preparing for her upcoming senior season of high school.

Well, that is now in its final stages… and Dillingham is closing out this chapter the same way it started by bringing home some more hardware after a great showing at States once again.

“After States it just felt like everything came down,” Dillingham said. “I was like this is the last time I’m going to be here. It’s the last time I’m running with the team. I still am in awe. I watch the videos over and over. I’m just like dang I really did this again. I came back and did it again. I think I’m still feeling surreal right now.”

Dillingham went to say that this is such a bittersweet time in her life. “It’s very, very, very sad,” Dillingham said. “I was at States and I was really happy to have my medals around my neck. We were all taking pictures, and I was like this is the last time I’m going to be with you guys.”

She’s currently training for two meets she’ll compete in this summer and after that it’s off to Jacksonville State University where she will continue her track and field career.

“Everyone’s really good,” Dillingham said. “Even now, with the people that are coming in like me that are coming in as freshmen, everyone is doing great. A lot of people got state championships.”

As she’s navigated throughout her senior season, one area Dillingham has grown in is leadership.

“We were about to run the 4x4,” Dillngham said. “I was the first leg. Another team that was by us was like oh I can tell you’re a senior just by how I was talking to my teammates. I’m really blessed and honored to have that leadership position.”

Her coach, Larry says her ability to lead is something that just comes natural to Dillingham. “A lot of the things where she’s really, really good comes out automatically because she just does,” Ryans said. “People can speak and impart wisdom, but a lot of times kids just do and they impart wisdom.”

As this chapter wraps up, Dillingham has some parting words she would like to share for those who are coming up next after her.

“Believe in yourself,” Dillingham said. “Why not you? That’s something I’ve been asking myself. Give it all 110 percent and you’ll get 110 percent out.”

Dillingham departs from the Suncoast and heads to Jacksonville State in August.