4/25/23
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Demetrius Parish isn’t necessarily a late bloomer. His coaches believe his athleticism has always been there.
This spring, he’s sprung to life.
The Alma junior is one of the triple jump favorites heading into the 5A-West conference meet this week at Van Buren. He’s part of a talented 4x100 relay team as well.
One day, he might be one of the elite high jumpers, too.
“I honestly think Meech has room to continue to grow in football and track,” Alma track coach Joseph Potts said. “He’ll be the first one to tell you that he battles some negative self-talk and that he can get down on himself when things don’t always go right. (But) we had a good talk after things that didn’t go his way in the high jump at the McDonald Relays. He knew he didn’t have the best attitude about it and that was the first thing he told me after we let him cool down a little.”
“I think I need to work on my form a little bit more,” Parish said. “Once I get my form down, I think I’ll be able to go pretty far with that.”
As much as Parish has struggled with the high jump, the fleet-a-foot football and track star has come into his own in the triple jump. Earlier this spring, he broke Alma’s school record with a jump of 43 feet, three inches. His top high jump leap is 5-8.
Parish, who answers to the nickname "Meech," admits to being a little surprised by his triple jump success.
"I’m kind of surprised because this is my first time to do the triple jump, and to be able to get the (school) record, it kind of surprised me," he said.
The triple jump is more mental stretching than anything, he said.
“For me, to be honest, competing means a lot,” Parish said. “My dad was a big competitor, and to be able to compete like that means a lot.”
Parish said his dad, David, passed away when he was 5. His mom has been his biggest hero.
"She pushes me to be the best person that I can possibly be, doing schoolwork, sports, or anything in my life,” Parish said. “She is my world.”
Parish also credits Alma offensive coordinator Chris Smith, whom he’s grown close with since the seventh grade, for much of his on-and-off-the-field success, too. First-year AHS assistant coach Payton Morris has had a big impact on Parish as well.
“I really give Coach Smith and Coach Morris a lot of credit for some of the changes we’ve seen in him,” Potts said.
“Really, a lot of my male role models have come from Coach Smith and Coach Morris,” Parish said. “Coach Smith has been there since the seventh grade. I like being around my coaches; they’re good role models.”
Parish started to turn some heads last football season, Potts said.
“Just giving him a chance to catch a jump ball in a JV game, and then to make some big catches in varsity games seemed to flip a switch for him,” the coach said. “Of all the kids in (off-season) football, he was one who really stood out as far as work ethic goes. Then he comes to track and has some instant success in the relay and triple jump; it’s been really fun to watch.” Parish has been one of the keys to Alma’s 4x100, anchoring the first leg of one of the toughest relay races.
“Moving him there early in the season was big for us,” Potts said. “We knew starting him would make the most sense, and it worked out great. They set a new PR (personal best) every week; Dillon Flanagan is the second leg of that group, and after the McDonald Relays, he asked me if Meech had had a great day, or if he’s really that fast.
“The only answer I had for him was 'Yes.'”
Potts said Parish will also compete in the 4x200 relay and the long jump at this week’s conference meet.
“We’re very proud of the fact that he recognizes that attitude is the main thing he needs to work on,” Potts added. “He’s such a gifted young man, and when he puts it all together, the sky is the limit for him.”