‘Sheek’ chooses Ag blue’
“It’s pronounced Awk-When-Yea,” said USU senior track athlete Dasheek Akwenye, who by most teammates and coaches is simply referred to as “Sheek.”
“People always have a hard time with it,” said a laughing Akwenye. “I go to a track meet or anywhere we go, and they try to pronounce my name over the mic and they slaughter it.”
Akwenye was recently named the Western Athletic Conference men’s track and field Athlete of the Week, after qualifying for the NCAA regional tournament in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.24 seconds.
Akwenye raced once in high school. Growing up in Windhoek, Namibia, (located southwest of South Africa) Akwenye grew up in a family of mostly soccer players.
“Most of the time was spent playing soccer,” he said. “My dad played for the national country and my brothers played for the under-17 teams. My senior year I was like, let me try out track and field, because my brother was in America running for BYU. So one day I ran and had a good time.”
His performance was fast enough to draw attention from BYU, where Akwenye’s older brother Thobias competed in track.
After going to BYU for a recruiting visit, Akwenye decided the school wasn’t the right fit for him, so he competed at Utah Valley State for two years before being recruited to USU.
“When I came to BYU my first year, I got there it was not for me,” he said. “It was my first time in the United States, and I just wasn’t feeling the atmosphere there.”
Due to some injuries while at Utah Valley, Akwenye was granted a medical redshirt year.
After coming to Utah State, Akwenye again sustained injuries that kept him out a year. Because he had used a medical redshirt while at a junior college, he was able to petition the NCAA for another year of eligibility, which he was granted.
Competing last year for USU, Akwenye qualified for the NCAA championship meet and finished with the 28th-fastest time, giving him the confidence to compete well this year in his final season of collegiate running.
“I was ranked 28th in the nation,” he said. “There is no reason for me to be scared out there. I am from Utah State. Let them be scared of me.”
With a strong start to the season, Akwenye said his goal is to go to regionals and finish in the top five so he can once again compete in the National Championship meet. He also has a goal to represent his country in the Olympics.
“My main goal is to hopefully make it to the Olympics,” he explained. “My country gave me a set time to hit. They said if I can run the 400 in 45.94 seconds, I’ll make it.”
Besides running, Akwenye enjoys spending time with his wife, who competed for Utah State’s track and field team as well. He also likes watching movies and relaxing.
According to Akwenye, being married has helped his training because he doesn’t have to worry about dating or deciding who to ask out.
“I don’t have to be going out with friends or staying out late or just having to worry about the dating game,” Akwenye said. “I’m more focused. I can do what I have to do and come home and know that she is supportive.”
Akwenye graduated with a degree in public relations and is now in his first year of a master’s program. The next chance the sprinter will have to compete will be at the Brigham Young Invitational on Friday, April 4.
USU’s lone home meet will be held on Saturday, April 19.
“We don’t get a lot of recognition here at Utah State,” Akwenye said. “It’s always football and basketball, but we are winning a lot of championships. I just want to let the students know that we only have one home meet. Come out and support the track team and see what we are working with and give us support because we really need that.”
-sam.bryner@aggiemail.usu.edu