You have to free your mind to do things you wouldn’t think of doing. Don’t ever say, ‘No.’ — Carl Lewis, Nine-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Track And Field Star

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FRISCO, Texas — Ethan Dixon initially found his niche in competitive track and field when he was in the eighth grade.

Given the immeasurable strides he’s made in recent years, it’s safe to assume the rising Frisco Heritage High School senior is making quite a name for himself on the amateur circuit.

Since joining the USA Track & Field-sanctioned (USATF) Major Impact Track Club Texas and J.U.M.P Smart Texas circuits, Dixon has been nothing short of remarkable in recent years, having emerged as a two-time Junior Olympic All-American.

For good measure, such a milestone has given way to this gifted, flourishing high jumper making his presence felt in his chosen sport on several of the nation’s finest track and field stages, most notably on the campuses of University of Michigan, University of Oregon, LSU, Texas Tech, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Texas, among others.

Add to the fact that Dixon has garnered two-time Nike Emerging Elite All-American honors and is a Texas state qualifier in the Top 40 triple and long-jump events, and it’s no wonder this progressively brilliant prep athlete appears well on his way to having a monumental impact at the collegiate level sometime within the next year or so.

“As I kid, I’ve always loved jumping,” Dixon told Making Headline News this week as part of its 2024 Summer Olympics Advance National Coverage. “I loved it enough to try to apply it in every sport I did. In middle school, my coach noticed this and referred me to high jump, where I challenged the school record at the same time and ended up falling in love with the sport.”

And the rest, as they say, was history.

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To his credit, track and field has literally become a massive lifestyle, of sorts, for Dixon whom, along with the solid backing of his parents, has already compiled an intriguing list of colleges vying for his services after his prep tenure ends next Spring at Frisco Heritage.

According to Dixon, Air Force Academy, Oklahoma Baptist University, University of Mount Olive, Dakota Wesleyan University, and Madonna University are amongst the schools that have expressed interest in possibly offering an athletic scholarship to the 2024 district, area, and regional champion who also advanced to state competition as a junior.

“Competition makes me better,” Dixon told MHN. “So, for as long as there is a higher level of competition, I will strive for it. Additionally, if I can receive a full scholarship, I can take the burden of college debt off myself and put money back into the pockets of my family.”

As Dixon recalls, his parents undoubtedly have demonstrated unyielding support ever since he stepped foot on a track some three years ago, something by which he doesn’t merely take for granted.

“Throughout the course of my track career, my parents have invested lots of money and incredible amounts of time into me,” Dixon said. “It’s because of those sacrifices that I get to fly all around the country and compete at the highest level. Without their support, there is not a single accomplishment I could’ve achieved. My parents, as well as the Lord, have been the foundation of my track career from the beginning.”

FOLLOWING DIXON VIA INSTAGRAM & TWITTER: @ethanxdixon

When asked to assess her son’s fervent success in recent years in his chosen sport, LaMechia Dixon was rather forthright and to-the-point.

“Excited and proud,” said LaMechia Dixon whom, along with her husband, have been fixtures at their son’s events, regardless of where he’s competing around the country.

“A typical track meet for us starts early,” LaMechia Dixon told MHN. “Ethan does field events and they start first. Ethan has a breakfast sandwich and we have coffee. He has enough snacks to share in his track bag and a small cooler of water.

“I am nervous and excited but I have to appear strong and confident for him. After he wins and collects his metals, he stays for hours to cheers on his teammates. He always makes me and his father so proud, win or lose.”

Interestingly enough, the Dixons don’t seem affected by the periodic exhaustion that customarily comes with spending long days witnessing their son compete.

“The adrenaline rush for every jump wears you out,” LaMechia Dixon said. “It’s an emotional rollercoaster each time. We try to be at every single meet as a family. We are so proud of him and his growth over these years. We have watched week after week his growth in his gift.”

For what it’s worth, though, such growth — and tenacity — figure to enable Ethan Dixon to achieve his ultimate goal by the time his prep career ends.

The ultimate goal: ink a National Letter of Intent to showcase his immeasurable track and field skills for a major Division 1 program.

OWNING THE MOMENT 

Like Ethan Dixon, his parents — as well as those who have witnessed his athletic fervent rise in recent years — are convinced their son still has time to make his lofty dream a reality.

“Ethan’s passion for his sport is unmatched,” LaMechia Dixon says without hesitation. “He does not miss a workout. He’s worked out every single night on his own for the last three years. He is constantly studying his own file, as well as film — from professionals high and triple jumpers.

“I tell Ethan to, ‘Always do what you are supposed to do so you can do what you want to do.’”

The only African-American student at Frisco Heritage to be inducted into the National Honor Society as well as the only minority Frisco Independent School District student to advance to Texas Boys state, Ethan Dixon relishes the life-altering advice his parents and coaches have offered him, particularly since he’s made his presence felt on the ever-evolving track and field circuit.

“Although I have always been against it, they have always encouraged me to start running and told me how much it will benefit my ability to jump,” Ethan Dixon told MHN. “Ever since I trusted them and started running, I’ve seen a multitude of benefits.”

With more undoubtedly forthcoming.

Much sooner rather than later.

So stay tuned.

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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.

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