Track and Field – The Foundation to Our Family
Spring sport athletes haven’t seen the sun all season in 2022. That’s not stopping Valerie Jepkosgei.
“I’m excited to come to practice every day, regardless of the weather,” says the junior at Waukee High School.
That excitement is trimming Valerie’s times. The junior is a Drake Relays qualifier.
“Overwhelming joy,” she says. “Just knowing that working hard at practice and getting to see the results up on a board, it means a lot.”
Valerie’s Blue Oval story doesn’t stop there. Her freshman brother Travis Lembechwa (Timberline) also qualified for Drake.
“I thought it was pretty cool that I was able to run there,” says Lembechwa. “My sister too.”
“I talked to him before his race,” adds Valerie. “I ran to the stands so I could watch him too.”
Also in the stands were Travis and Valerie’s parents. Here comes the really cool part, they were both Drake Relays qualifiers during college.
“They are both proud of me and my sister,” says Travis. “It’s a big opportunity to run at the Drake Relays.”
Taking advantage of track opportunities is something this family has been doing for generations.
“It opened up a lot of opportunities to them,” says Valerie. “They got full scholarships to come here. It’s really the foundation to our family to be honest.”
Their parents reached the national championship level at McKendree University in Illinois. Valerie and Travis are on their heels in high school. This family’s track tradition is truly incredible.
“Since my sister does it, I thought it would be good for me to do it,” adds Travis. “Our family’s been doing it for years and I want to keep on doing it.”
“Even if I didn’t grow up with running as a huge part of my life, I would’ve found it somehow,” says Valerie.
In true coach speak, the brother-sister duo is already focusing on what’s next. That includes taking the whole family to Drake for a second time next spring.
“It’s always something I wanted to do,” says Valerie. “I’m proud of myself and my brother and the rest of my family as well.”
