Running down
a dream

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Leemue Koimene has spent part of his life on the move, joining his family in their quest for a better life.
Now, he says, he’s finally home.
Born and raised in Liberia, Koimene moved to the United States in 1999 with his mother, Maret, father Paul and his five brothers and sister. Their first home was in Boston, where Koimene attended Lynn Classical High School and was a member of the track team.
By the time he reached his sophomore year, Koimene was on the move again, this time settling with his family in Philadelphia and enrolling at Father Judge High School.
"My parents wanted the best future for me and knew I would get a better education at Judge," said Koimene. "I knew the neighborhood in Boston, and the violence there is a lot less and the public school system was great. But now I’m living in the Northeast, and I really like this neighborhood. Philadelphia is my new home now."
Upon his arrival, Koimene was instantly welcomed into the Crusaders family. He teamed up with Judge’s football and track teams during his sophomore and junior years. However, as a senior this year, he decided to concentrate solely on track.
"It came to a point where my coach told me that the team needed people to step up and make sacrifices now," said Koimene. "I stepped away from football and focused on track."
A few months later, he reaped the rewards.
On Feb. 10, Koimene and his Father Judge teammates won the Philadelphia Catholic League indoor-track championship. It was the first track title for the Crusaders.
"It felt great!" said Koimene. "I had no doubt. This year’s team is very special. We had so much heart. I knew this year we were going to win it. It wasn’t individual. It was a team effort."
Father Judge brothers Jermaine and Jerome Lowery, who are seniors, placed first and second in the 200- and 400-meter dash events. Jermaine also placed first in the 60-meter hurdles, with Koimene close behind in third place.
Chris Boland finished second in the pole-vault event, with fellow senior Dan Dunkelberger taking third place in the long jump. The Crusaders continued their success in the shot-put competition — seniors Dave Smith and Jason Flanagan claimed third and fourth place.
The Crusaders placed first in the 4x400 meter relay; a team composed of Michael Harrington, Gerard Smith, Joe Sharp and Jerome Lowery finished with a time of 3:31:89. The Judge 4x800 relay team of Kevin Dunn, Ian Fleming, Pat Ayling and Jermaine Lowery was triumphant as well, with a first-place time of 8:19:75.
"It was an intense and emotional win," said coach Matt Dwyer, the Crusaders’ boss for 10 years. "We set our goals high and we’ve really come along. This was a great season."
The squad was ranked first in the state in four events — 4x400, 4x800, 60-meter hurdles and the 400-meter dash. Their victorious season will give Father Judge a shot at the state championship, with the competition scheduled for March 1 at Penn State University’s main campus in State College, Pa.
"I am very confident for states," said Koimene. "My coaches built a mindset that we can do whatever we put our minds to. Winning the Catholic League championship gives us another kick in the behind to win states."
Koimene, a 5-foot-7 athlete who competes as a sprinter and jumper, started running track competitively four years ago and now leads the Crusaders as team captain.
"My parents encouraged me to join a sport to keep me occupied and out of trouble," he said. "Being part of a team makes you feel like another part of a family. When I came here, Judge welcomed me with open arms."
Koimene’s transition from Liberia to America was not an easy one. At the time, a civil war was tearing apart his native country, killing hundreds of thousands of people in the process.
"My parents wanted to get us out of the situations down there," Koimene explained. "We moved here for a better life . . . a new life.
"It was a totally different world," he said. "It was something that I was not used to. In America, there is traffic up and down everywhere and people were rude. But now I think it’s great. I know this is where I belong."
Once they settled in this country, Koimene and some of his siblings found enjoyment in competitive sports.
"That’s where I get my get my competitive spirit — from my brothers," said Koimene, the third-youngest among his six siblings. "We’re always in competition. I feel like I have to reach and be better than them.
"I think they pretty much want to see me compete so they can make fun of me if I make a mistake," he said with a laugh. "My family is very supportive. My parents taught me to always do my best. It’s nice knowing that I have them behind me in whatever I do."
After graduation this spring, Koimene hopes to study sports management and continue his sprinting success at the college level.
"I figure I’d pick a job that I’m happy about and I can wake up every morning and love it," he said. "And I want to keep running track. I can’t wait to compete at the next level.
"I like track because it’s a sport where you want your individual best," he explained. "It brings more out of you and makes you challenge yourself. Everyone is responsible for their actions, and that makes everyone a better person." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com