By De Asia Montgomery
Staff Writer
Setting new records was never the goal for Chasity Veals, but believing in hard work and being dedicated is what got the job done. As a freshman, Veals was injured, but she returned in December 2021 as a sophomore in the track season opener jumping 11.89 meters, breaking the previous record of 11.83 meters.
Through training and consistency Chasity Veals was named this year’s SAC Women’s Indoor Athlete of the Week at the Washburn Open. Setting a new school record in the triple jump, with a 12.37-meter mark. Veals placed second overall and qualified for NAIA ‘A’ standard for the NAIA Track and Field Indoor Championships.
In late August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the streets of New Orleans Louisiana where Veals was originally born. Due to harsh conditions in the city, Veals and her family moved to Dallas, Tx. Growing up, Veals shared a love for track following in the footsteps of her older sister. She started running track in middle school at Liberty Jr High and furthered her track and field career at Berkner High School in Richardson, Tx and ran for her AAU team, Team Dynamite.
After high school, Veals decided to further her education by attending college. Attending an HBCU with an amazing nursing program was her focus and with her love for track and field, Langston University made the perfect home.
Being a nursing student and a committed athlete takes a lot of time. Veals is devoted to both her nursing and running track. She finds time to be both a passionate student and athlete. She utilizes every minute she has. If she is not practicing or at a meeting, she’s doing her nursing work or is in the library. Most times it can be hard to remain motivated, but Veals has a strong support system to keep her going.
On her bad days, knowing that her coaches have been the best and that she has her mother and family support keeps her motivated. Head track coach James Hillard said, “Chasity sometimes didn’t think she could do the things I knew she could do, but as a coach that is what we’re here for. Whether its male or female, its to push you further than you thought because we know your prepared to do it. Sometimes were like the eagle in the nest. Sometimes you have to push them out to fly, and she can fly.” Veals wants to make all who pour into her proud and continue to make herself proud by breaking records like being SAC athlete of the week. Veals trains extremely hard while staying consistent in the weightroom and practice. “Consistency is the biggest part of training”, said Veals.
Though breaking records is a major milestone for Veals, her favorite part of running track is the practices. Track is a very competitive sport and practices can be intense; however, she has said they are family friendly and funny. “My track team is my family, and I wouldn’t be the person I am without them,” Veals said. Her team pushes her to be her best and celebrates her wins as true teammates should. Veals teammates continue to uplift her as she inspires them. Teammate Stephen Rodgers said he feels inspired, “When she excels in her event, when she shows out in her event, when she’s jumping and actually gets out there it turns up the crowd.” Being able to see Veals in here element makes other teammates want to work harder and excel in their event and boost the morale of the team.
Chasity Veals may be known to those looking from the outside in for her diligence and persistence to track, but her story will not end there. Over these last four years while attending Langston University track has been written on her chest, but nursing has been in her heart. “I love track and it’s a very humbling sport, but this will be my last year of track because I want to focus on my career as a nurse. I don’t want to be a pro athlete I just want to be a great nurse,” said Veals.
When asked what advice she would like to leave for those who want to be great, Veals said, “Believe in yourself. It was hard for me to believe that I am great, and I am good. I had to start breaking records and running fast for me to really believe I am good, even though my coaches and my parents would tell me I’m great at this and great at that. It was hard for me to personally believe it, but if I would have believed in myself from the jump, I would have trained harder and went into track meets with a better mindset.”
De Asia Montgomery is a senior broadcast journalism major.
