Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer

“Let the clock talk” wholly describes his running style.

One who has not been taken lightly, American High School's bullet, Ari Cogdell, has proven why he’s among the best in the state time and time again. Always sure of himself when he steps on the track, you already know that something crazy is about to go down if you’re a spectator in the stands.

The Tennessee signee began his career by running for Miramar Optimist and Miami Gardens Xpress during his earliest school years. It’s no wonder that Cogdell has been at the top of everyone’s watch list. However, it wasn’t even his interest in the sport that started it. It was his running — and his mom.

Cogdell said he would always run around his neighborhood, challenging the other kids in the area to race on occasion. Then suddenly, his mom surprised him one day and took him to track practice. Some may question why, but we all know that it’s because mothers know best.

Along with getting his feet wet in track, Cogdell kept his feet grounded on the playing fields. He played football and almost went out for basketball. However, torn between two sports that competed during the same season, track had more of a calling, and it appears to have been the right decision.

As Cogdell raced his way out of his elementary and middle school track days and into his high school days, he seemed to have a bright future with American. But there were some things that he had to take care of with himself.

“When I first came to American as a ninth grader I really didn't take it seriously,” Cogdell said as he reflected. “I used to be lackadaisical in practice, and very inconsistent.”

He said that he used to rely solely on his talent. It ended up costing him. As most coaches have said, you get out what you put in. Cogdell didn't make it to states in the 400 by missing the cut at regionals, placing sixth in the finals. That experience humbled him and it fueled his entire track career.

Sophomore year is when he began to turn on the heat, training harder and leaving his adolescent attitude behind.

As a sophomore, Cogdell qualified for the state meet in the 400-meter dash, placing seventh (49.89). He was also on the 4x400 relay, which placed fifth that year (3:24.11). Despite making it as an individual, he wasn’t satisfied with top eight. He wanted the top spot.

About a month and a half later, Cogdell blasted out a season PR of 47.77 at the AAU Area Qualifier. He would continue on to compete at AAU Club Nationals and the AAU Junior Olympic Games to close out his sophomore year.

With this new drive and attitude, Cogdell just wasn’t slowing down.

His next breakout race would be at the region meet, where he exploded and shocked everyone with a then US #1 time of 46.67. With a time like that, and everyone knowing the name Ari Cogdell, he felt like he could do anything. Even win the state title.

Despite predictions for him to win, Cogdell fell to the hype and finished fourth with a 48.05. With another moment wasted and again not making it on the podium, Cogdell had time to think.

“That was another humbling experience that has made me the runner I am now.”

As senior year crept around the corner, Cogdell knew that it was time to burn all the cylinders. There couldn’t be any more hiccups. But as fate would have it, hiccups followed.

At the start of this past season, Cogdell strained his hamstring while running the 100-meter dash to increase his foot speed. It might not have been the best choice considering that he’d been out sick two weeks prior, and didn’t train much the week leading up to the race. It was hard for him to see people run fast times while he had to “sit out” and not run the 400 early in the season.

Despite that, Cogdell found other ways to keep training. He would run the 800 at the Hallandale Invitation and placed third, running 1:58.43. While he still ran the 4x400, he treated his leg on the relay as if it were his open 400. Then, after a confidence boosting 47.55 in the 400 at the district meet, Cogdell knew that he was back.

And he was more than ready.

After strong efforts in the 4x800 relay earlier in the day, Cogdell decided to take what was his.

He blazed down the track, winning both the prelim and the final of the 400.

Then he ended the day with a win over St. Thomas Aquinas and Dr. Phillips in the 4x400 relay.

With perhaps his best high school season officially over, Cogdell still has a few things in mind. Cogdell says that he can't dictate if this was the best year because his year hasn't ended.

“I won't settle for complacency and be settled in my accomplishments so early,” he said. “I was planning to do it (Golden South Classic) but I have prom. I hope to get invited to Golden Southwest and Brooks PR”.

After he graduates and leaves American, he’ll join a new band of brothers at Tennessee, who’ll help guide him throughout his collegiate career. Though it’s sad that Coach Knowles will be losing one of his stars, Tennessee will gain one.

“I trust my college coach’s training at Tennessee just as I trust my coach now. I feel all great runners have to have trust in their training. I believe I should develop as efficiently as I am now. As in college, resources will be more readily available. Nutrition, training, and top notch medical trainers will be essential to becoming a better runner.”

While away at college, Cogdell looks to blossom. He says that he wants to grow as a person, as a man, as a scholar, and as an athlete. He wants to develop more into the person he aspires to be in the future.

You don’t find many people like Ari Cogdell. Many have the ability, but they lack the heart and humble attitude that he possesses. That’s what sets him apart from the others across the nation.

Cogdell doesn’t let others dictate how he performs. He lets the critics critique about it, and see what they come up with. However, despite what they come up with, he does what he does best.

As Coach Knowles likes to say, “Chase that!” sums up Ari Cogdell.