Kossi Tchenawou could have taken his track talents to a Division I college program, but he decided it wasn’t for him.
Instead, the former Grandview High School sprint star found the environment he was looking for in Gunnison, so he chose to sign with the Division II program at Western State Colorado University last week.
Tchenawou passed on other offers from bigger schools to sign late to a place where he won’t be on full scholarship for the first year, but believes he will flourish.
“It’s not about being on the best team or just going DI to say you went DI; if you are happy somewhere, you’re most likely going to succeed,” Tchenawou said Wednesday. “This is one of the places I felt needed and wanted and I know they’ll do whatever they can to help me…I’d rather be somewhere I’m comfortable and happy and pay a little bit the first year.”
The native of the small West African nation of Togo is eager to see what he is capable of at the next level, especially considering what he’s accomplished just since wrapping up the Class 5A state track meet in May.
Crediting his work with Doug Ries, father of former George Washington and Denver East star Chyna Ries — a University of Texas signee — Tchenawou has set new personal bests in the 100 meters (10.61 seconds) and 200 meters (21.32 seconds), both tops among Colorado runners according to Milesplit. Both PRs came at the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic State Championship meet June 19-22 at Aurora’s Legacy Stadium.
With the USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships ahead July 21-27 in Houston, Tchenawou is hoping to clock a time in the 10.4s or 10.5s in the 100 and the 20.s in the 200.
Tchenawou — who won the 100 meters at the Aurora City Championship meet — was proud of his senior season at Grandview, though he wasn’t at his best at the 5A state meet when the Wolves finished a close second to winner Fountain-Fort Carson. After running a slate of four races — including relays — he wasn’t used to a week earlier at the Centennial League Championships, Tchenawou wasn’t at his best in the open events as he finished fifth in the 100 meters and ninth in the 200 meters.
“I couldn’t really be disappointed; I had a great season and nobody really knew who I was,” he said. “I worked hard and at the end of the day, it wasn’t about the way I performed at state, I have my whole life ahead of me. It was just a disappointment that my whole team did outstanding and performed well and I was the one that let them down when usually I was the one to lift them up. I really liked Coach (John) Reyes, it’s too bad he wasn’t at Grandview earlier, but I couldn’t have asked for a better track coach or team.
“There’s nothing you can do when you show up to compete and your body doesn’t show up.”
When he arrives at Western State, Tchenawou is looking forward to teaming up with another Colorado prep standout sprinter, Casey Lewis of Arvada West, as well as returning Western State sprinter Justin Baker from Texas.
Western State finished 18th in indoor track & field and 16th in outdoor track and field during the past season in Division II. Last season’s roster included some other former Aurora prep standouts in Eaglecrest graduate and high jumper Avery Roberts and Regis Jesuit grad and distance runner Austin Riley.
Ultimately, Tchenawou hopes to keep going with his sprinting career and has an eye on a possible chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team from Togo.
He’s also looking forward to coming back to watch the progress of the Grandview team he believes will take off next year with returning seniors Triston Sisneros and Shayne Watson and others who took a big step forward this season.
Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. Facebook: Aurora Prep Sentinel
