A former Taylor Duck track star is not only looking to add gold to his collection, but make his name well-known in the process.
Jarvis Anderson is headed to the 2024 World Deaf Championships July 11-26, in Taipei, Taiwan. Anderson, a former standout at Taylor High School, will compete in the 400-meter hurdles, the triple jump and the 4×400 relay for the USA Deaf track team.
“Jarvis’ drive and determination to make his name known has turned up several notches,” said TL Garner, Anderson’s father.
Garner said before every meet, he and Anderson sign to each other “make them know your name.”
“Jarvis wants the world to know, ‘I’m not disable, I’m just differently able,’” Garner said.
Anderson is a 2023 graduate of Taylor High School and recently completed his freshman year at Stephen F. Austin where he is a dual athlete in football and track. His parents are proud of their son’s efforts to maintain a high grade point average as a freshman playing two sports.
“Jarvis was always so consumed with his classes, his practices and it was a lot,”Garner said. “But, he had the right accommodations in place to help him educationally and the right disciplines for being able to participate in both sports.”
Anderson’s achievements include bronze medals at the 2022 Deaflympics in the 400 hurdles and the 4x100, gold medals in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles and triple jump while at Taylor High School and bronze medals in 400 hurdles and triple jump at the Division 1 Western Athletic Conference Championships.
Anderson has decided to not play football next season at SFA to focus specifically on track. He told his father that during football season, he could manage the workload. However during track season, the obligations increase.
“You have track meets everywhere,” Garner said. “[Jarvis] can’t do football practice, then go to track practice, then go to football meetings, track meetings and then keep his grades up.”
Anderson wants to go to the World Deaf Games, and has hopes to go to the 2028 Olympics. Anderson also has a goal to be the NCAA champion next year.
In efforts to get to Taiwan, a support fund has been set up for anyone wishing to help. Unlike the USA Track and Field Team or Paralympic Team, the USA Deaf Club does not receive financial support and therefore relies solely upon private sectors for funding.
Anyone who would like to make a taxdeductible donation to support Anderson’s trip Taiwan, can do so at https://mtyc.co/42rcef
