RIO GRANDE VALLEY – In track & field, it's hard not to think about the numbers. 
 
From personal, meet, facility and program records, to qualifying minimums and leading times or marks, even calculating the wind, the numbers are always in front of you, always on the mind. You know exactly where you stand in comparison to others, exactly what's being asked of you to surpass another, and sometimes that can be a difficult fact to face. 
 
For freshmen in particular, across all sports, it takes time to adjust to the new demands placed on them as collegiate student-athletes. Rigorous class schedules, elevated and difficult training, new surroundings – the "freshman transition" can take a mental toll on a young person, said The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head track & field/cross country coach Shareese Hicks. 
 
"Not finding success as quickly as they once did in high school is the most common factor that impacts freshmen student-athletes mentally," Hicks said. "What was once easy now requires more effort for a reward that doesn't appear right away, both athletically and academically. Those who once were the superstars on their high school teams are now challenged in every direction by their own teammates." 
 
Jamari Harts is very open about how the pressure of being a collegiate athlete impacted him mentally during his freshman year. 
 
A graduate of DeSoto High School, which boasts a well-known track & field program, Harts came to UTRGV in August as a key piece of the talented 2023 recruiting class. He was a two-time qualifier for the UIL Class 6A State Track & Field Championships in the 400-meter dash and won numerous medals in the 400 and 4x400-meter relay. 
 
He knew the coaches had high expectations for him, and he put them on himself, too. So, when a hamstring injury hampered his training in the fall semester and led to him missing the 2023 indoor season, he struggled with feelings of disappointment. 
 
"With the coaches having a lot of high hopes for me, I felt a lot of pressure. And when I got hurt, it took a mental toll on me more than a physical one, even though it was a physical problem. I was very much overwhelmed," Harts admitted. 
 
Harts leaned on his faith, his family and friends, and visited with a psychologist to help him handle the obstacles he was facing. The support he received changed his perspective, and that allowed him to grow on and off the track. He became someone other teammates dealing with injuries could connect with. He increased attentiveness to his body and mind. He changed his running technique and approach to treatment and recovery. 
 
"It was an up-and-down rollercoaster, but I look at it now as a blessing because it gave me time to focus on my mental and smaller parts of my craft," Harts said. "I learned a lot. I prayed every night. Simple phone calls with my dad, that's my sports guy, he knows me better than anybody so those really helped me. My friends always kept my head high. I went to a mental doctor that helped me with breathing treatments and things like that." 
 
Hicks played a major role in the process, too. She has an open-door policy with her team and places an emphasis on getting to know the student-athletes on a personal level. Harts started visiting with Hicks regularly, being honest and vulnerable, and she helped him understand the importance of knowing who he is outside of the sport. 
 
"Breaking down those mental barriers he was experiencing became more enlightening as I got to know Jamari as a young man. He needed to feel supported and heard. He needed to know he mattered beyond his talent and what he could do for the team," Hicks said. "Once he let go of some things he was carrying, he saw that high school was just the beginning and there is so much more in store for him." 
 
Hicks said the toughest thing coaches ask of their student-athletes is to fall in love with the process and not chase the result. Succeeding in collegiate athletics requires everyday intention, but it's not going to happen all at once. As Harts grew into that mindset, things started to change at the right time. 
 
"Coach Hicks was always in my corner. She never gave up on me," Harts said. "Once I got mentally stronger, everything just fell into place and I felt unstoppable."  
 
Harts made his collegiate debut March 18 and competed in all seven meets on UTRGV's outdoor schedule. His season culminated with a memorable month. 
 
At the J Fred Duckett Twilight, Harts and teammates Derrius Henry, Jaqualand Fields and Jermarrion Stewart set a program record in the 4x400-meter relay with their first-place finish. He finished 10^th in the 400 dash in back-to-back meets at the Twilight and Texas Invitational, lowering his season-best time at both meets. 
 
Harts was feeling his best heading to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Outdoor Championships, and he showcased his growth on his biggest stage yet. He ran a personal record 47.26 in the preliminary round of the 400 dash, advancing with two teammates to the final. He lowered his PR to 46.61 – the third best time in outdoor program history – as he placed seventh. 
 
Harts, Sam Johnson II, Stewart and Fields combined to earn silver in the 4x400-meter relay, setting a new program record in 3:08.36. Harts contributed 10 points to UTRGV's team finish in his first conference meet. 
 
"I went into WAC with confidence, but it was mind-blowing," Harts said with a smile. "I knew I had good teammates I was going to run against and with and they would push me. I went out there, head on straight, and just ran for myself. Everything turned out amazing. I was so proud of everybody. I've never crossed the line not winning but still so happy in my life. You couldn't take that moment away from me. Coming up through all this adversity and accomplishing all that in a big moment was such a blessing." 
 
After a brief rest, Harts got right back to work with Hicks in June. Harts earned the opportunity to compete in the 400 dash at the 2023 USA Track & Field Under-20 Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. The first round is scheduled for July 8 with the final to follow July 9. The top three finishers will advance to represent the United States at the Pan Am U20 Championships in August. 
 
Looking back on the way his freshman year started makes it extra special for Harts to now have the chance to run against the best young track & field athletes in the nation. 
 
It wasn't easy getting to this point. But by working on himself as much as his craft, Harts got where he always knew he could be. With a new mindset and a fresh spirit, he's enjoying the process day by day. 
 
"I left off in an amazing spot and I'm focused on continuing to build on that. I'm going to go to U20 Championships and use all I've learned this year and go for another personal best," Harts said. "I'm just happy to be here and to see what else the future holds." 

Support UTRGV Track & Field | Become a Fan on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Follow us on Instagram | Follow us on YouTube