Athletes Of The Week: Prophet DeVaughn

All outstanding student-athletes can perform well inside and outside the classroom.

Goldsboro senior Prophet DeVaughn is a student-athlete who can handle pressure and deliver in the clutch inside and outside the classroom.

DeVaughn, who swims and runs cross country, currently has a 4.0-grade point average and was named MVP of the Goldsboro swim team last season.

DeVaughn’s fantastic work ethic on and off the court has enabled him to be this week’s Brian Allen State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Week.

“Before I start playing sports, schoolwork always comes first,” DeVaughn said.

Last year, as a junior, DeVaughn was one of 29 high school juniors who graduated from the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program. The multi-talented DeVaughn has also written articles for ghspridetown.com.

He only started running cross country two years ago, but he can already run a 5K in 19 minutes and 37 seconds. Going into his senior season, DeVaughn said he wants to keep his 5K under 20 minutes during every race this season.

“I’m really trying to get under 20 minutes on my 5K because it’s something I can never hit,” DeVaughn said. “I did it one-time last year, and I really want to do it consistently this year.”

Last season, despite getting injured, DeVaughn, who plans on majoring in medicine, qualified for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2-A Regionals in the 5,000-meter run.

However, even with all his accomplishments, DeVaughn is not satisfied. He said he would keep working hard to improve his time and hopefully qualify for regionals again this season.

Like all hardworking student-athletes before him, DeVaughn wants the biggest moments on the biggest stages, and should such a moment arise during his senior season, DeVaughn, as he always is, will be ready for the moment.

“I know it’s a physical sport, but in my opinion, it’s a mental sport as well,” DeVaughn said.