{"id":33269,"date":"2022-06-29T08:50:02","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T08:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/?p=33269"},"modified":"2022-06-29T08:50:02","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T08:50:02","slug":"overcoming-challenges-since-birth-gosser-looks-forward-to-division-i-track-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/29\/overcoming-challenges-since-birth-gosser-looks-forward-to-division-i-track-career\/","title":{"rendered":"Overcoming Challenges Since Birth, Gosser Looks Forward to Division I Track Career"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<\/p>\n<div>\n<div id=\"attachment_160220\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160220\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-1024x825.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-768x619.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-400x322.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-124x100.jpg 124w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet.jpg 1200w\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-300x242.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" class=\"wp-image-160220 size-medium lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160220\" class=\"wp-image-160220 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-300x242.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-1024x825.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-768x619.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-400x322.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet-124x100.jpg 124w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-in-group-meet.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-160220\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">GREAT RUN: Despite nursing a hamstring injury during the last month of her stellar career, Barnegat\u2019s Valencia Gosser (right) not only won the Shore Conference crown in the 100-meter dash, but also anchored a talented 4\u00d7100-meter relay. (Photo by David Biggy)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Valencia Gosser returned from a hamstring injury just before this past spring\u2019s Shore Conference Championships and qualified sixth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.10 seconds. A short time later, she became Barnegat High School\u2019s first conference champion in the premier sprint event with a time of 12.64 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>Now, some would consider this a major accomplishment, and it is. But for Valencia, overcoming obstacles have become so routine in her life, she\u2019s almost oblivious to it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe doesn\u2019t see obstacles,\u201d said her mother, Theresa. \u201cIt\u2019s like they don\u2019t exist to her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Oh, sure, Valencia has doubted her ability to overcome at times, but for the most part that\u2019s changed during recent years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wouldn\u2019t have thought five years ago that I\u2019d win a sectional or Shore Conference title, or anything like that,\u201d said the recent BHS graduate. \u201cI would have doubted myself. But now, I\u2019m confident with what I can do. If there\u2019s something I want to do, I just go after it, and it doesn\u2019t matter how many obstacles are in the way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Given her life, it\u2019s not a wonder why Valencia has developed such confidence. She\u2019s overcome a lot of odds since all but being born into the New Jersey foster care system, addicted to multiple drugs.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_160221\" style=\"width: 233px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160221\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-762x1024.jpg 762w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-768x1032.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-400x538.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-74x100.jpg 74w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad.jpg 1000w\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-223x300.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" class=\"wp-image-160221 size-medium lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160221\" class=\"wp-image-160221 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-223x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"223\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-762x1024.jpg 762w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-768x1032.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-400x538.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad-74x100.jpg 74w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/valencia-with-mom-and-dad.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-160221\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">PROUD: With the love and support of her parents, Richard and Theresa, Valencia Gosser has overcome a lot of setbacks in life and now is headed to Division I Rider University. (Supplied Photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cValencia was a crack baby, addicted to several drugs, and she had been in the hospital for months going through withdrawal. She had multiple handicaps, and we were told she\u2019d never walk or talk,\u201d said Theresa, who along with her husband, Richard, has six adopted children, including five special needs boys.<\/p>\n<p>When the Gossers first met Valencia, she was 14 months old.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the five boys already at home, we were intent on getting a little girl, and when we went to this foster home in Trenton, the house was full of cribs with special needs babies,\u201d Theresa recalled. \u201cAnd there she was, this little, itty-bitty thing just standing there at the edge of a crib. She didn\u2019t eat regular food. She had been just bottle fed to that point, and she was deemed medically fragile.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While the Gossers trudged through the adoption process \u2013 they finalized Valencia\u2019s adoption when she was 4 years old \u2013 their daughter progressed both physically and mentally, albeit slowly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe first three years of her life, she had leg braces,\u201d Richard said. \u201cShe was all muscle, very rigid because of the crack addiction. She couldn\u2019t bend much at all for a long time. Eventually, she started becoming more active, and her physical capabilities began to show.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>By second grade, Valencia was playing basketball and had exhibited physical abilities that set her apart from other youngsters her age. She was quicker, faster, stronger, and could jump higher. According to Richard, she played one season in the Barnegat Recreation softball league and could hit the ball over the fence with little effort. She also dabbled in field hockey with Stafford Recreation, as a goaltender.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_160217\" style=\"width: 241px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160217\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-790x1024.jpg 790w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-768x996.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-400x519.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-77x100.jpg 77w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet.jpg 1000w\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-231x300.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" class=\"wp-image-160217 size-medium lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160217\" class=\"wp-image-160217 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-231x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-790x1024.jpg 790w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-768x996.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-400x519.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet-77x100.jpg 77w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-rotc-cadet.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-160217\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">RESPECT: Valencia Gosser joined the Barnegat Schools Junior ROTC program. The structure of it helped her develop leadership skills, among others. (Supplied Photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cHer natural ability was great,\u201d he said. \u201cBut her physical ability was more advanced than her brain. It took her a while to figure things out, to learn how to play the game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In middle school, Valencia developed an affinity for volleyball, which carried into high school \u2013 she was one of the hitters for Karla Jennings\u2019 squad, which won a sectional title last fall \u2013 and, of course, her speed and running ability became an instant hit with BHS girls track and field coach Rebecca Kane, who appropriately dubbed Gosser the \u201cSpeed Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m willing to try new things,\u201d said Valencia, who easily broke the 100-yard dash school record as a freshman, clocking a 12.32 to finish right behind former Manchester star Jada Ellis during the 2019 NJSIAA South Jersey Group II meet, two weeks before Gosser ran to a 19th-place finish at the Meet of Champions in a crisp 12.31. \u201cYou never overcome anything without trying it. But I don\u2019t think much of the challenges. I just do what I have to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Throughout her career at Barnegat High School, what she did was set five school records \u2013 a combination of indoor and outdoor marks \u2013 and at various points captured county, conference and sectional crowns in two of the most difficult events to win as a sprinter, the outdoor 100 and the indoor 55-meter dash.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to winning the conference 100-dash title in May, Valencia had won the sectional indoor title in the 55 dash with a time of 7.33 in February, preceded by the county title in the 55 dash in 7.44 seconds to win the county championship a few weeks earlier. Sadly, her sophomore spring season was ruined by the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>But despite her athletic prowess, Valencia\u2019s bigger challenges were in the classroom, and she worked hard to overcome those as well.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI stayed after school a lot to get extra help for certain classes,\u201d she said. \u201cI had to overcome a fear of speaking, and I learned to open up more. Sue Rogers, my case manager, helped a lot with steering me to the right classes. But I had to do the work, and it wasn\u2019t easy for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_160219\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160219\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-768x716.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-400x373.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-107x100.jpg 107w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals.jpg 800w\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-300x280.jpg\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" class=\"wp-image-160219 size-medium lazyload\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-160219\" class=\"wp-image-160219 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-300x280.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-300x280.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-768x716.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-400x373.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals-107x100.jpg 107w, https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/gosser-with-lots-of-medals.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\"\/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-160219\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MEDALS GALORE: During her stellar track and field career, Valencia Gosser at various points captured county, conference and state sectional titles in either the 55-meter dash or 100-meter dash. (Supplied Photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Valencia joined the Junior ROTC group while still in middle school and continued with it through high school, something that helped her grow more confident.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI liked the drill competitions and the family aspect of it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt helped me with my leadership skills. The individual structure of it really worked for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In January, Valencia was offered the opportunity to pursue a collegiate track career at Rider University, a Division I program within the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference under the guidance of five-time MAAC Coach of the Year Bob Hamer. She signed her National Letter of Intent to compete for the Broncs in early February and will study criminal justice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy cousin Chris is in the FBI, and he\u2019s had some great stories about how he gets to do some of his work, so I took an interest in law enforcement,\u201d she said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to be a police officer, but I definitely want to do something within law enforcement. We\u2019ll see where it takes me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Obviously, Division I track will be a few steps up from what she\u2019s known and experienced throughout high school, but she\u2019s ready. A lifetime of overcoming obstacles has ensured it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a little nervous about the school part, but I\u2019m ready for the track part,\u201d said the 19-year-old. \u201cI\u2019m excited to experience what it\u2019s like at that level, and I\u2019m looking forward to the workouts. I already know the coaches are going to work with me to change my technique, and I can\u2019t wait to see how much better I get. Maybe professional running is in my future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 David Biggy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/articles\/overcoming-challenges-since-birth-gosser-looks-forward-to-division-i-track-career\/mailto:biggy@thesandpaper.net\" class=\"autohyperlink\" rel=\"noopener\">biggy@thesandpaper.net<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesandpaper.net\/articles\/overcoming-challenges-since-birth-gosser-looks-forward-to-division-i-track-career\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] GREAT RUN: Despite nursing a hamstring injury during the last month of her stellar&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-careers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33269"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33271,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33269\/revisions\/33271"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cjstudents.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}