Salute to Seniors | Jahmir Ellis - Deptford HS


Here is the next entry in our new series on NJ MileSplit, with so many seniors heading off to bigger and better things we wanted to give everyone a chance to salute them one more time. As well as to invite those seniors to tell their stories from the past four years. If you would like to partake in these articles here is how, we'll be posting all June and July as they come in.


Next up is Jahmir Ellis a sprinter and hurdler for Deptford high school, he placed fourth at Groups this past indoor running 6.69 making it to the Meet of Champions in the 55 meter dash. With a PR of 50.89 in the 400 meter he was also part of some successful relays for the Deptford Spartans during his career. 

Name: Jahmir Ellis
School: Deptford High School

What was your most memorable race/throw/jump/vault/moment?


My most memorable race was this year on April 29, 2016 at Penn Relays. My team and I went into this race day very calm and with little pressure on us. We were not seeded to win or place very high in this South Jersey Small School 4x400 due to some guys being banged up from other events or a meet days before. This was my first race back from my hamstring injury that stopped me from running for two weeks prior to Penns. We hadn't ran our Sectional Champion squad since Indoor Sectionals. It was time for a FAST one in which my coach always say. I began my warm up forty-five minutes before race time. I wasn't too confident in my hamstring and what it could do that day. Warming up I was a little tight and felt some tweaks in my right hamstring, that did not stop me from running! It was time to clerk in and my relay and I knew that the "Pressure Was Not On Us!" We entered the clerking area in which the weather started to become warm and beautiful. We headed into the paddock area where many SJ Small School teams surrounded us. Our first leg headed out on the track and the gun went off. We were in fifth place once the second leg received the baton and we were put in third place in which I was forced to run hard. I received the baton and had my eyes on the team(s) in front of me (Haddonfield Memorial and Camden). I trailed behind these guys until I felt like it was time to kick. The crowd began to roar and I began to move. I managed to pass Camden with almost one-fifty to go and I was then behind the leader. I began pulling away from the teams behind me and the race was still up for grabs. I handed the baton off to the anchor who was pushed to run with the big boys. The race came down to the best lean in which we out-leaned Willingboro HS just as we did at Sectionals. We broke our season record by almost six seconds! That was big for us! We won Penn Relays back to back with four different guys! We ran 3.23.97 and the team we out-leaned ran 3.23.99!


Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?


My biggest competitors over my four years were myself, my teammates and the top two schools in SJ Group 2. I would say myself and my teammates because there is only four spots for a relay and there were about eight guys competing for those four main spots. At practice we all push ourselves to our limits and PUKE together. Everything we do is as a family and we get along very well, but once we hit the track it is seriousness and no games. We come to practice with our "heads screwed on" (In Coach Sherry's words) and come to work!


What was your greatest accomplishment?


My greatest accomplishment was breaking my 400 meter personal record at NJSIAA SJ Group 2 Sectionals. On my board at home, I have time goals that I plan to accomplish throughout my season. After my hamstring pull, I chose to run 400's very often for strength. My personal outdoor record overall was a 58.14 as a freshman. After running fast splits and hand times at meets and duals this season, it was time for me to run a fast F.A.T. race. I ran at Sectionals in which my personal record is held currently with a time of 50.89.  I placed first in this heat and eighth overall in this second fast heat. Although I did not move on to States and Meet of Champions, I know that I ran my best and left nothing on the track.


If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?


There is not much I would change. My four years in high school was full of experiences and I have learned a lot throughout my years as a Tracklete.

What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?


The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was my hamstring injury. It was tough seeing my team running at the track meets without me and them saying "I'm going to do this for you". I wouldn't say this is a regret because you need setbacks in life to make a major comeback and I feel as though I did make that comeback!


What will you miss the most?


There are many things I am going to miss about running at the high school level.  First, I am going to miss running for the Spartans. I have always loved representing my school. I am definitely going to miss my best friend, Penn State Commit, Kiara Lester, who I met in middle school and motivated me throughout the way. I will greatly miss my teammates (Marquel, Derrick, Wiz, Tyrese), girls track team, my Mentee (Myles Davis), and most of all one of the best coaches I have ever had Coach Sherry. I wouldn't be what I am today if it wasn't for him.


What advice would you give to younger athletes?

  • One bad race doesn't represent your running career.

  • Time flies (Feels like I was just a Freshman)

  • Stay positive and believe in yourself

  • Set the bar high and make standards

  • Shoot for the stars and anything is possible

  • Don't bag the workouts, you will wish you put your all into it

  • Pain Is TEMPORARY!

  • Eat right and Sleep enough; your body needs it to recover


Photo by Coach Sides for MileSplit

What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?


With Track being a very mental sport, Coach Sherry, Coach Steward, Coach Ayer and other assistance coaches have pushed me to train in conditions that was best for me. They all believed in me and my track abilities. The support given to me from my coaches boosted my confidence and allowed me to enjoy the sport and its techniques in certain events and strategies.


What are your college plans?


I have committed and will be attending Stockton University in Galloway, NJ in the Fall. I cannot wait to attend SU and contribute to the team. GO OSPREYS!




Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?


I would like to thank my parents for encouraging me to run the sport: Track & Field. I want to thank my best friend for influencing me to run T&F. I want to thank my team for cheering me on in all of my open events and them running for me when I was injured! I really love the team as a whole!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?


I enjoy every funny moment spent with the boys and girls track team. Since we train as one, we have bonded like family. We always are one of the loudest teams at meets and the craziest. We all know when it's fun and games and also we know when it is time to set the tone for a race. We also broke and made school records in events such as: 4x100, 4x110 Shuttle Hurdle and Swedish Medley Relay. As a team we have also won the Tri County Conference five times in a row! Goal Accomplished: Meeting Sydney McLaughlin!


What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?


During my running career, we have so many funny things that happen. I think the funny things that happen is the bus rides back from track meets. We just have so much fun laughing, talking about memories, the days events, blasting music, eating, stopping at Wawa. I just enjoy every moment, they were bittersweet. I will surely miss the Deptford Spartans and wish the younger guys the best of luck!! *Don't try to break all of our records*

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If you would like to partake in these articles here is how, we'll be posting all June and July as they come in.