Athletics

One Giant Leap

N Our Voice by Adria Navajon

One Giant LeapJaden Gebeke

When I left my hometown of Barcelona, Spain, to attend school in Kansas, I knew I'd have to make some adjustments.

I knew I'd have to get used to living in a different country, away from everyone and everything important to me at the time.

But there was one thing I hadn't thought about.

Driving a car.

Back in Barcelona, I didn't drive that much.

You don't really need to.

You can walk or ride your bike to most places.

Or take a bus.

But in Kansas?

You need a car to get around.

It wasn't long before I applied for a license and hit the open road.

That was the first of many challenges I've faced throughout my track and field career.

Whether it was learning English, battling injuries, or overcoming the culture shock of the Midwest, I think I've adapted well.

After all, I'm now a Big Ten heptathlon champion at Nebraska.

I'm a fluent English speaker.

And, yes, I'm even a good driver.

A Burst of Speed

My love for sports began as a child, playing various games during recess and weekends with friends.

Soccer was a favorite, of course, but I also dabbled in hockey and tennis.

But it was during a trip to the beach with my parents that I discovered my passion for running.

I would race and zip by them along the shoreline enough that they eventually suggested I try track and field.

At first, I was hesitant, but I gave it a shot.

Little did I know that this would become the foundation for my future as a multi-event athlete.

Initially, I didn't enjoy track and field much, but everything changed when I joined a track club in Barcelona and met a group of friends who shared my passion.

We would train together, support each other and have fun.

It's exactly what I needed at the time.

As I continued to improve and compete in various events, I became more and more dedicated to track and field.

After enough time, I started doing well in the high jump and long jump.

I loved the feeling when I'd get big air.

That's probably why a few coaches told me to stick to those two events and nothing else.

But I had one club coach who saw something different in me.

She told me I should try being a multi-event athlete.

I trusted her and never looked back.

Making the Move

Moving to the U.S. was never part of my initial plan.

However, a friend of mine had already made the journey and spoke highly of the experience.

With some encouragement from my parents, I decided to give it a shot.

The only obstacle was my English proficiency, which was, to put it mildly, quite poor.

I had to pass exams to come to the U.S., and initially, I couldn't conquer them.

But eventually, I managed to start my collegiate journey at Wichita State.

The transition was challenging, especially with the language barrier, but the school had a few Spanish athletes there, which made me feel safe and at home.

My coaches and teammates tried to help me as much as they could with the transition — including the occasional tease.

They became like family, assisting me in improving my language skills and adapting to the new culture.

After my first year, I made significant progress with the Shockers, winning several competitions and achieving success in the multi-events.

But it was far from a straight line.

The injuries, in particular, were tough to deal with. I sustained hamstring sprains, a hernia and a stress fracture in my foot, just to name a few.

I knew injuries were part of the game, and I believed that if I stayed positive, I'd heal faster and perform better.

I would eventually win every indoor conference meet in my career.

The Next Step

After four years at Wichita State, I felt like I needed a change.

I wanted to try something new.

That's when I decided to transfer to Nebraska.

I liked the coach and the group of athletes there, and I thought the program and culture would be a good fit for me.

It also helped that I'd be practicing with a couple of Olympians.

When you don't feel like practicing, they push you because you want to be better, beat them and get to their level.

It's worked out better than I ever could have imagined.

And the result?

I just won the Big Ten championship in the heptathlon.

It was a chaotic meet, to say the least.

I started in eighth place but managed to work my way up to first.

I stayed true to myself, and everything just fell into place for me.

It's been a long journey of ups and downs, but the win made all the hard work and sacrifices worth it.

More than anything, it reminded me of my love for track and field.

I knew I still had that joy in me, and this victory proved it.

Be a Positive Force

I came to the U.S. to run track and field, but I've gained so much more than that already.

I've grown as an athlete and a person, and I have my coaches, teammates and trainers to thank for that.

They've pushed me to be my best and supported me through the toughest times.

I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

As I look ahead, I'm excited for what's to come.

The outdoor season is just around the corner, and I'm ready to give it my all.

I'm also looking forward to having my parents see me compete in person for the first time this spring.

It's been five long years since they've seen me in action, and I can't wait to show them how much I've grown.

This journey has been anything but easy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I've learned so much about myself and what I'm capable of.

I hope my story inspires others to chase their dreams and embrace the challenges along the way, too.

Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that anything is possible if you push yourself and approach every day with the positivity it deserves.