Fuquwan . . . first off, how in the world do you spell your name? I saw this spelling on your hat at the Indoor State Meet, so I went with it. I think at this point I have seen about 6 different spellings:
Fuquwan Green
Fuquwan Greene
Fuquawn Green (the correct spelling)
Fuquawn Greene
Fuqauwn Green
Fuqauwn Greene
But in all seriousness, Fuquawn, you have quite a story to tell. I want to thank you ahead of time for being willing to share your life with the NCRunners.com and Milesplit.US audience. Your openness is honorable and should be well respected by everyone.
Fuquawn, you are part of one of the most successful track teams in the history of North Carolina. You alone are one of the top 100/200-meter runners in the nation. You are a member of National Indoor Record setting teams in the 4x400 and Sprint Medley Relay, the National Record setting team in the SMR outdoors, and you were the MVP of the 4A Indoor State Meet.
Having all this success, people can sometimes look for the faults. It isn’t necessarily done on purpose, however; it’s more or less human nature.
“How can a school from New Bern, NC be so good? What are they doing? There has to be something giving them the edge?” Have you heard any of these questions before?
"Yes, I hear it all the time from some of our competition, our classmates, and the media. To answer all 3 questions, my teammates have worked hard and continue to work hard. As for as the edge, we have been taught to set high goals and give 100% to reach them. But really we are a big school as well we draw from a large area in eastern NC and you also have Coach SImpson who picked me out of the crowd-he's got a good eye for track athletes and knows how to work with us."
It’s difficult for people to think that a town like New Bern could have such outstanding athletes like yourself. It’s hard for people to think that hard work and dedication has gotten you to this point.
From what I gather, you had a decision to make when you were in 8th grade. It was run with a local gang or join Coach Simpson and run for the track team. Can you expand on this a little more.
"I was being raised in one of the tougher areas of town and I selected some bad friends and honestly I made some bad choices in the past. Fortunately, I chose track. I have some old friends that are in jail now and I can't help but think that could have been me if I had not stuck with track."
So, you decided to run track and give it your best. This decision has obviously paid great dividends for you. Now you get to high school at New Bern and are put in another difficult place . . . the high school classroom. To no fault of yours, you have recently been tested and are borderline Autistic. This makes a normal classroom environment extremely difficult for you. How have the last two and a half years in high school been for you?
"Very, very, very tough, I have tried everything I have been given help from my track family in many ways. My teammates and my coaches have helped me a lot! A very special thanks goes out to the help I have been given by Johnique Fonville. She is on my high school track team . She has been there for me and helped me with my studies."
I understand that you just recently got into the Individualized Education Program (IEP). How are feeling about the changes to your curriculum?
"It's really stress free now, it helps me to handle my everyday classroom decisions better, a few members of the staff have been helping me get through all of this. The great thing is that I have learned a lot about myself and my learning style. I have learned that I don't learn the same way most kids do but that I am just as smart as the other kids. The situation taught me that I learn best through one on one teaching and hands on experience. Figuring that out has really helped my self-confidence in the classroom and on the track."
With all this said, Fuquawn, you are eligible and have been passing your classes up to now. Many people questioned if you were eligible for the NCHSAA Regional and State Meet since you weren’t listed in the meet entries. However, the absence of your name from the NCHSAA 4A Mideast Regional has nothing to do with academics, does it? Can you explain the situation so others can hear the truth?
"It has nothing to do with academics I promise. It's hard to say it but a few months ago I made bad decision which resulted in me being suspended. The situation was 100 percent my fault and I am still apologizing to my teammates for it. The suspension was due to a school policy created by our high school principal. I could not participate in high school competition in North Carolina. It was a mistake on my part and careless really and as my coach Big Dave always says "for every action there is a reaction." A lesson he teaches us all and preaches to us on a daily basis."
This seems to be a pretty big bump in the road, but definitely not a roadblock. From speaking with Coach Simpson, it seems you have had to deal with a number of obstacles in your life. Fuquawn, what has been one of the most difficult things you have had to deal with?
"I would say letting my teammates, family, school, and state of North Carolina down. I almost didn't attend the regionals to support my team because of my shame of not being able to compete. But I have to be there for the team to the end, even if it means carring the water or doing the rubdowns. I learned that there is more to being part of a track team than just running fast. I understand that being a member of a team means that no matter what you have to be there for your team."
Coach Simpson tells me that despite everything you have been through, and continue to go through, that you spend time with younger student-athletes. Why do you feel it is important to “mentor” others?
"All of my life I have needed help, so I understand what some of those younger and less fortunate kids are going. through becuase I should be grateful that God blessed me with what I do have, Big Dave always hollars at me because I am out of place helping some of my teammates and he says I need to take care of Fuquawn first, however I wait until he turns his back and I help others. I know he is watching and he is proud of me, because he teaches me to help others, because of what him and Nick do for others."
Fuquawn, dealing with the hardships you have faced must be stressful, overwhelming, and at times lonely. However, I’m sure you have a support group, a group of people looking out for your best interest. Who has been by your side, helping you through the tough times?
"I don't know if you would call it a support group but there are a lot of people on my team and making sure I have everything in place to succeed. I could talk all day and name a lot of people but I want to mention Nick and Cathy Sparks and their kids, and Big Dave and Christie and Little Dave, Titi, Kahlil and Hydiyah. These people don't have to help me but do- that means a lot to me. I have to mention my mother here as well. She is really important to me even if we don't always see eye to eye."
What does it mean to know you have such wonderful people who support you?
"It means everything. I am being taught that life has consequences and problems and that nothing comes easy. I have been blessed to just have teachers of life lessons that don't throw me out there and let me deal with them alone. I really thank God for that because these are the people who have given me the self-confidence to succeed in life and on the track."
Fuquawn, looking forward, where would you like to see yourself in a couple years?
"Of course either London 2012 or Chicago 2016! And in a few weeks running again. Me and Hunter Furr are looking forward to running against each other this summer. But most of all I have learned that getting my degree is the most important thing because track won't always be there and one day I want to give back to a kid like me because nothing that I have done would be possible without other people giving back to me-- including, Mrs Cathy and Nick, Slade Trabucco, and the people at NSSF. They have given me encouragement and that has made a huge difference in my life. We'll see what happens. God willing I will stay injury free and be able to get my degree and compete for my country."
From all of us at Milesplit.US and NCRunners.com, I wish you the best of luck. Thanks for taking the time to share pieces of your life with us.
Fuquawn will compete next at the Atlanta Dekalb Invitational in Georgia on May 30th then at the Great Southwest meet on June 6th. He is currently ranked 10th in the US in the 200 meters. Other national rankings for Fuquawn include: top ranked 4x400, top ranked SMR, and 2nd ranked 4x200.
