A Dream Deferred: The Story of Trish Leger

When you love something so much, sometimes you have to give it up, even if it’s not your choice. That’s the story of Trish Leger, a former University of Florida triple jumper who can no longer participate due to patellar tendonitis in her right knee. Leger says the hardest part about it, was accepting it.

“The fact of accepting that I wasn’t running track anymore, being that I ran track for so many years, that’s really what my life was consumed of. The one thing that you were so close to is taken away, and it wasn’t my choice,” she said.

Leger’s journey began back in middle school where she first discovered her love for track. She enjoyed running, jumping, and basically anything else that had to do with the sport. Track followed her to Royal Palm Beach Senior High School in West Palm Beach, Florida where she jumped 39.11 meters her senior year at her regional track meet; she says that was the jump that got her here to the University of Florida.

After doing the same thing for so long, Leger had to adjust to life as simply a student, rather than a student athlete. She also has to adjust on the financial side of things going from a scholarship athlete, to a regular student who uses grants to financial aid to fund her education.

“Life as just a student you have more time and less pressure, being an athlete you’re always thinking about athletic in some way.”

Despite not being able to participate with her teammates, Leger is always out supporting her teammates; she describes herself as their “number one fan.”

As a  senior with her days at the University of Florida coming to an end, Leger says her main focus is to graduate with her degree in family youth and community sciences and attending medical school.

She says no matter how her life ends up, track will always be her “first love.”

About Britneé McCoy

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

https://vimeo.com/198372157 GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

New College Football Playoff Rankings will be Revealed Tuesday

The second 2024 College Football Playoff rankings will be unveiled Tuesday starting at 8:30 p.m. …