By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Producer/Reporter
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — There was extra incentive for student-athletes like 18-year-old Rachel Leeke and 16-year-old Nynka Moshe-Joseph to perform well at the Martin Luther King Relays in Washington Heights on Monday.
While their classmates were relaxing on a day off from school, hundreds of high school athletes were showing off their track skills and honoring Dr. King with their teamwork and sportsmanship.
“If it wasn’t for him, we might not be running here in the track meet,” Moshe-Joseph said.
“So we have to do what we have to do and represent,” added Leeke.
Athletes weren't the only ones paying homage to the civil rights leader and carrying on his message of peace and togetherness. Oyeleye Ogewunni was honored for winning an essay contest and he spoke to his fellow runners about the responsibility of being a positive influence in the community, and rising above negative influences.
“My community has tried to bring us down,” Ogewunni said. “But we’ll try to stay above it.”
Vladimir Remfort, a Lincoln High School runner, said he was taking Dr. King’s words to heart to help another part of the world: Haiti.
“I’m going to see if I can go to Haiti and help out with the earthquake [recovery],” said Remfort, who lost eight cousins in the disaster. “I want to see if I can get food and water [to send. I’m organizing stuff with my church and my family.”
Athletes weren't the only ones getting into the spirit of the day. Coaches like CSI’s Daniel Lee said they took the extra day of work to remind their teams of the importance of Dr. King, not only as a civil rights leader, but as a hard worker who exemplified the kind of work ethic their budding track stars should show.
“We spoke to them earlier in the week about his dedication and loyalty to what he believed. That’s very important to student athletes,” he said. “Especially track and field athletes — I think they really embody that.”
