
LEADERSHIP
"Darrel and I trained together for the 2012 Olympic Trials. Throughout our time together, he exhibited leadership and maturity beyond his 19 years of life. Not only was he younger than I was, but I constantly found myself seeking him out for advice. Honestly, most of the time, he never answered the question. In hindsight, it was a great method of leadership to have me seek the answers within myself. In the moment, it was incredibly annoying and frustrating.
Fast forward to my retirement from running, I went through a bout with depression and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
I specifically recall one instance where I called him mid-breakdown and he talked me down from the ledge; not with persuasive statements, but again, with questions.
Much of my success is owed to Darrel. Both inside and outside of professional sports. His leadership and mentorship are quite unconventional, but nothing about the guy is conventional."
— Luke, 2012 United States Olympian