Dontavious Hill, a true freshman high jumper on the Track and Field team has quickly leaped his way on to the scene. Hill, known to the team as "DT", is a native of Mobile, Alabama. Hill's track and field career began back when he was just 14 years old. It was the influence of his older brother that Hill credits his choice of sports.
"My older brother Melvin was a high jumper and I just followed in his footsteps," Hill said.
He looked up to his older brother, as many younger siblings do, wanting to be just like him. The strong relationship with his brother, both on and off the track, was a launching pad for success. It was not until Hill's senior year of high school with a jump of 6'6" that he realized that he had a talent and could take this sport to the next level.
He reached great heights off the track in high school as an honors student with a 4.0 GPA. It was his love for math that led him towards a major in mechanical engineering. While he may not know exactly what his career path looks like, on the track it is quite the opposite, Hill's long-term goals are very clear. His goal is to become an indoor and outdoor SEC champion, as well as an All-American.
Making the transition to college is tough, and as an athlete it is even harder.
"The transition was tough considering I didn't know how to manage my time when I first got to college" Hill said. "I learned a lot about being independent. I've built some good relationships with my professors and learned the tools to excel academically"
Especially in a conference such as the SEC, athletes need to be on top of their game in the classroom and in this case, on the track, at all times.
"Being in the SEC is just a great experience," Hill said. "You are around top-notch athletes all the time, and better yet, you get to compete against them and learn from them as well."
He contributes his success to his coaches and counselors at Auburn saying, "They are the best and really make me feel like I'm a part of the Auburn Family."
Hill began his Auburn career indoors in January at the UAB Blazer Invitational jumping a height of 2.05m /6' 8.75", which was good enough for a sixth-place finish. This was only the beginning. As the season progressed, Hill continued to raise the bar.
At the SEC Indoor Championships in February, he reached a collegiate PR with his jump of 2.16m/7' 1", good for eighth place and the only freshman to score in the event. The height locked him in at fourth on Auburn's indoor Top 10 list.
"He performed brilliantly with a PR performance," Auburn assistant coach Scott Richardson said. "Like most freshman, his first season has been a little up and down, but he comes through when it counts."
Hill nods to this performance as his greatest accomplishment of the indoor season as he is working tirelessly to make his biggest support system, his family, proud. His teammates also acknowledge his brilliance on the track as fellow high jumper, Caroline Lawrence, would describe him as being "determined, competitive, and kind" and pole vaulter, James Courson, says DT is "just getting started.'
It is hard for athletes to accept failure, or anything less than their goals. It is important for athletes to be critical of their performances while also taking failure with a grain of salt. DT has a very easy-going nature about him off the track, while on the track he is focused and determined.
"He's also his own toughest critic," Richardson said. "Sometimes he's a little too hard on himself. Once he learns to channel his energy and focus, he will go from good to great."
After the success of the indoor season, Hill was excited to keep the momentum going into the outdoor season. Athletes can achieve great heights with a hungry attitude and hard work.
"Dontavious is an extremely hard worker on the track and in the weight room" said Richardson.
It is his passion for the sport that shines through. The Tiger Track Classic on April 5-6 held in Auburn at the Husttell-Rosen Track proved to be a big weekend for Hill. Jumping on his home track was just the right stage for his performance - a new colligate PR at a height of 2.17m/7' 1.5", jumping to number four on Auburn's Outdoor Top 10 list.
The strides made throughout this year were no small feat. Hill is currently ranked as the No. 5 freshman male high jumper in the nation while sitting at No. 26 overall. Jumping with Hill at practice each day, Lawrence states that "he pushes all of us to do our best and he gives 100% effort in everything he does."
Even after all of the garnered success, Hill remains humble and continues to work hard.
An outstanding first year for Hill that is not over yet. With the conclusion of the regular season, the team looks to conquer the championship part of the season. Hill went into the outdoor SEC championship meet with a goal of scoring in the top 5 and jumping a PR. While he fell short of his goals this time around, he has another chance to achieve great heights at the NCAA East Preliminary Meet.
Looking ahead of the NCAA meet, Hill sets his sights on finishing in the top 12 to make it to nationals. Hill and the rest of the track and field team in action at the 2019 NCAA East Preliminary Meet in Jacksonville, Florida, May 23-25.
(Editor's note: Author Jen Dietrich is a sophomore on the Auburn women's track and field team)