DeCicco leads runners with confidence

By Jennifer Umaña
Daily Forty-Niner

As a freshman Derek DeCicco usually ran in the back of the pack. His older teammates from the Long Beach State cross country team often discouraged him from attempting to improve.

As a senior, DeCicco is captain of the men's cross country team. Instead of following in the footsteps of those who tried to break him down, he is helping to build up the confidence of his younger teammates.

"I try to encourage them and teach them to believe in their abilities," DeCicco said. "Believing in yourself when no one else does," is most important, he said. "Believing in what you can do, not what others say you can do."

Long Beach State cross country Assistant Coach Dana Colligan Gutierrez said she feels that the team is at an advantage with DeCicco as captain.

The team is "lucky that Derek is so thoughtful and reflective of what it takes to be a good leader," she said.

"The team really responds to his positive outlook," Colligan Gutierrez said. "They recognize the fact that he is knowledgeable about Long Beach State track and field and cross country." He really helps inspire his teammates well, she said.

Colligan Gutierrez said she recognizes the hardships that DeCicco has faced.

"Despite the fact that he has struggled Ö he is the kind of athlete that takes responsibility for his own success," she said. "He's willing to take a step back to try and be a problem solver."

DeCicco is also a member of the LBSU track and field team, running the 5,000m and 10,000m.

Andy Sythe, head coach for the LBSU cross country and track and field teams has noticed DeCicco's development over the years.

"He has improved tremendously," he said, attributing this to the vast amount of work that DeCicco has put into his training.

DeCicco, 21, was born in Anaheim. He started running at the age of five. His dedication to the sport at such a young age led him to participation in the Junior Olympics, where DeCicco said that he did well.

In 1997, he graduated from Monta Vista High School in Cupertino. He had a friend who went to LBSU, which got him interested in coming to the university. He was attracted to the school by the physical therapy program more so than the sports program. He is expected to graduate in May with a degree in Kinesiology with an option in Exercise Science.

DeCicco currently interns in the cardiac rehab unit of the Long Beach Memorial Hospital where he helps monitor the rehab of cardiac patients.

He also works at The Pyramid as part of the "Event Staff," but does not have set hours. "I can't really have a job," he said. "I go to school and practice all day."

DeCicco said his love for the sport of running extends beyond just completing races.

"It's about challenging my mind and my body to their limitsÖ to their absolute limits," he said.

The cool aspect of the sport is that it is based on how you are doing compared to how you have done, DeCicco said.

"As long as you're running fast times, you always win," he said.

Fast times will hopefully help DeCicco achieve his goal for his final season of running for LBSU.

His goal is to earn a spot to regionals. To do this he must either place in the top ten runners in the Big West Conference or the team must place in the top three in BWC. If this occurs, the Big West will pay for his or the team's participation in regionals.

He has been to regionals twice already, but only because the coaches paid for him to participate.

His goals for running beyond the collegiate level include competing in 50-mile and100 mile races.

"Then, I will be accomplished," he said.

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