Pierre Goree of Duncanville, Texas, has made quite the name for himself in track and field.

Goree was recently named the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year for the state of Texas, and he dominated the boys’ 100-meter race at the Nike Outdoor Nationals shortly before.

Despite these accomplishments, the Duncanville High School graduate will attend Southern Methodist University (SMU), a college with no track team, on a football scholarship this fall.

 

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Goree officially signed to SMU in December 2021, though his recent, headline-worthy successes in the track-and-field realm have sparked renewed interest in his decision.

“Football has been my first passion,” Goree noted in a statement to CBS. “When I came to track, I fell in love with it. I just kept going in both of them, and [I] got good at both of them.”

While SMU hasn’t had a track and field program in nearly two decades, it’s worth adding that the institution pledged to help Goree further his burgeoning track career within NCAA guidelines.

“It was important that I had people behind me supporting me, and that’s what made me fall in love with that school even more,” Goree noted.

“If there’s a will, there’s a way,” he continued. “I feel like there’s a way for me to show my abilities. You will see me on the track next year for sure.”

This support from SMU football is great news, especially since Goree’s Duncanville track coach, Clayton Brookins, believes the teen has what it takes to truly succeed in the sport.

“I think if Pierre was to continue running track, he will definitely be a candidate to be on the next Olympic team,” Brookins said. “He has the championship mindset. He has the physical attributes. He has what it takes.”

Shoutout to Pierre Goree for doing what’s best for his personal and professional goals, and we wish him the best of luck at SMU.