Running a Relationship

As a student-athlete it is sometimes hard not to become tiresome from the many strains of trying to control academia and athleticism.

But these two Clark Atlanta University (CAU) athletes have discovered a way to make it capable to equalize the pressure of class, practice, and games, while still being able have a successful relationship with their partners.

Aaron Abraham, a senior education major from Los Angeles, CA and distance runner for CAU’s  team track and field team, and Amanda Eillis , a junior psychology  major from New York, New York  and distance runner for the Lady Panthers cross country team, share a mutual love for running,  furthermore, they have love for each other.

Abraham and Eillis said they have been dating for two years. They met during Spring 2010 at a mutual friend’s house party. They were attracted to each other instantly and have been close ever since.

"I met at Amanda at one of our mutual friends house in the spring of 2010. ” said Abraham. "We flirted and talked with each other, but I didn’t know that we’d end up being more than friends. However, I was shocked when we ended up talking to each other everyday since that night. Now we’re two years down the line and we still enjoy talking to each other like the first time we were introduced.”

Eillis said she had to go to NYC for the summer but she and Abraham often conversed over the phone or flew across the states to see each other. They traveled a long ways from home just to be together considering, Abraham is from Los Angeles and Eillis is from NYC.

During that first summer together the couple began to acknowledge the fact that they weren’t interested in anyone else but each other. After a few months of “Getting to know each other” the couple said they realized they did not want to be with anyone else, and soon after formally became boyfriend and girlfriend.

"We kept in touch when we separated during summer break and hopped on those long flights to see each other,” said Eillis. “We weren’t seeing anyone when we first met, and after we met we only saw each other.”

"We’re both serious athletes and students, so over the summer break we decided to be seriously committed to each other,” she said.

The primary aspect that brought the couple together was running and other mutual interests.

Abraham said he has always had an attraction to women in sports. Therefore the fact that Eillis is not only an athlete, but a distance runner like himself turned him on to her even more.

"The fact Amanda is a runner made me attracted to her even more,” said Abraham. “I have always wanted to be with an athletic woman but never have. I think I scored big time because I not only got a sporty woman but a distance runner like myself.”

Eillis said that Abraham’s athleticism attracted her to him also.

"I was attracted to him not only because he is an honest person like myself but he’s an athlete too,” Eillis said. “I’m mostly into wearing athletic wear and he appreciates that unlike most men who want a girlie girl in a dress and heels.”

Eillis said she likes that she and Abraham are both involved in running because he can relate to her challenges as a runner.

" I enjoy the fact that we can both discuss the trials and tribulations we go through on and off the field. Being a runner is no joke, especially a long distance runner. Usually no one knows what a runner goes through unless he or she is really involved with the sport. He doesn’t have to try to assume r figure out what I am talking about because he knows from first hand experience,” she said.

In spite of the difficulties in being a student and an athlete, Eillis said her relationship with Abraham is the best she has every experienced. In past relationships she had to explain everything, but because she and Abraham share common interests and experience, their relationship runs smoothly.

"I’ve been involved with men who didn’t know the first thing about being a student athlete,” said Eillis. “Sports and school have been my life since I was a little girl. The pressure has now elevated because I am have to perform a certain way to keep my athletic scholarship and pay for school. Aaron understands this completely because he is an athlete himself. So I don’t have to have to spend useless amounts of time explaining myself about the pressures that come with being a student and an athlete. He just automatically knows how it is and understands me completely. There’s no hassle with him like there was with others.”

Abraham agrees with Eillis.

"I don’t have to explain anything to Amanda," he said. "She already knows what I am going through and I already know what she is going through when it comes to academia and athletics. We also come from parallel upbringings so we appreciate each other more.”

Abraham said he likes Eillis just the way she is, but what he loves about her the most is that she has an honest character.

Abraham said that he can see how cross-country can take a toll on her, but he tries to add extra positivity to help her ease her strains.

"Running long distance can wear me out, especially during the hot Atlanta sun. they don’t call it Hotlanta for no reason and running in the sun daily for miles and miles on end is a killer,” said Eillis.

“Sometimes I take my frustrations out on him when I have a horrible day, but he doesn’t really pay much attention to it because we’re both in the same boat. His positive attitude puts my soul at ease,” said Eillis.

Abraham said he and Eillis' participation sports does not hurt their relationship because they understand each other and most of their practices and games are around the same time and days.

"I think track and field season last a little longer  than her cross-country seasonbut not that much longer," Abraham said. "Regardless, we have something special because we have good communication and understanding.”

Eillis said when her and Abraham’s seasons start, they have to balance their time with each other.

".We just have to balance our time between school, practice and games,” said Eillis. “Good thing we’re used to balance being that we have been student-athletes for most of our lives so it all works out.”

Abraham said he loves the way that Eillis keeps the demands of her everyday life stable, while managing to keep a big smile on his face.

"I've been juggling school and running since I was five years old,” said Eillis. “So I am a veteran when it comes to balance.  Academics and athletics go hand and hand in my world and I don’t think that I’ll ever separate them. However, I will always take the time to make my man happy.”

Eillis said of Abraham, " He has been through so much in his life and is going through a lot now. But he makes me laugh everyday even during the lowest times. He is a keeper in my book.”

Abraham and Eillis both have a grade point average of over 3.0.  The couple seem to both be amazing people whom have learned to balance their cards right while loving and supporting each other with their academic and athletic endeavors.

Soccer Runs

When it comes soccer, sometimes having a good kick isn’t enough to be great player.  You have to know how to do it all, such as combine techniques from other sports into your plays on the field, like knowing how to run without end.

That’s exactly what Cadiz, Kentucky, Trigg County High School, LaNita Ephriam, a senior Los Angeles, CA  native does. She runs and never stops until she reaches her goal, and even then she keeps going.

“It’s hard to get people to acknowledge that soccer is more that just kicking the ball mindlessly,” Hughes said. “We do a lot out there than just dribble… we run our butts off for 90 minutes or more nonstop.”

Ephriam is currently a 2012 All-State High School Gold Medalist in the 400m dash, 4 x 400m relay, 200m dash, 8 x 200m relay, and holds silver titles in High Jump.  She also is a well traveled and All-State Soccer gold medalist.

Though soccer is her favorite sport, track and field set the foundation for her high achievements in the game.

“Track and field definitely made me a better soccer player,” Ephriam said. “I am glad that  I have build up my endurance and strength through running. Now that I have my running rhythm covered, I can concentrate on developing and mastering my skills and techniques with the soccer ball.”

Ephriam said that she knew that being good at track and field would give her an advantage when playing other sports.

“If you know how to run really fast, especially for long periods of time… you can easily  learn how to kick, dribble, throw, and catch, etc , at  the same time,” said Ephriam. “ I’ve received a lot of medals in volleyball, basketball, tennis, and soccer because of my track and field background. I know that being able to run fast, has given me an advantage. “

Ephriam’s  mother,  Patrice Ephraim, is a former collegiate track runner  put her in track and field when she was two years old, and since then she has been running.

Ephriam said, “ Even though practices are long and hard, I am glad that my mom put me in track and field first. She always told me that, ‘Building up your endurance as an athlete is key.’ I’ve never forgotten that. So each day, I make sure that my endurance is up and then practice on specific techniques, depending on what sport I am playing.

Ephraim is currently a heptathlete, which means she is involved in seven events for her high school’s track team.

"My events are, the 100m dash, 200m dash, long jump, high jump, 400m dash, 4x400m relay, 8x200m relay,” she said.

However, soccer is her number on sport of choice.

Ephriam said, “ I love, appreciate, and try to play all sports. That’s why soccer is my number one sport. The game mixes techniques from various sports such as,  basketball,  football, and running. Though track and field is my foundation, I definitely want to play soccer in college. However, both sports have taught me patience, endurance, strength, teamwork, and how to remain humble. These traits I will hold for the rest of my life”

Fellow teammates believe Ephriam is a strong leader whose immense athletic capabilities are always forceful.

Ephriam’s soccer teammate Jennifer Langston said, "Her great athletic abilities always show on the soccer field. She never stops running until we score."


"She always leads by example through her hard work and success," said Daniel Jennings, a Trigg County High School track teammate”

“She is an amazing athlete,” said  Ephriam’s former track and field coach, Cathy Wilkerson. “In comparison to most athletes, she is on a whole other level, and will continue to go higher.”

"LaNita is the strongest athlete that I know," said  Ephriam former soccer Richard Johnson. “The older she gets, the more her skills are defined. She will be a force to be reckoned with when she gets into NCAA play for college.”

Ephriam currently  holds a 3.6 GPA, runs the 400m dash in 58 secs and is an up and coming sought after  “Sweeper”  in the sport of soccer.

Despite her love for sports, Ephriam acknowledges being a student athlete can be very demanding.

"It is really hard to be a student and an athlete," Ephriam said. "It's not as hard for me now because I’m in high school but I’m sure it will be very hard when I’m in college. I’m sure there will be some point when all of my college buddies will be partying while I’m in my dorm room studying and preparing for a game. “

"Early in the mornings I wake up and run. Then I go to school. After school I go to track and/or soccer practice. Then I come home, eat dinner, do homework, and go to sleep to do it all over again in the morning.” she said.” "There are times when I want just to pass out because of the hard workout that I went through."

Ephriam is, 17yrs old.  is in her senior year of high school and is currently being recruited by various universities. She knows that she wants to attend an out-of-state college, but her family cannot afford the expenses to pay for her to do so. Therefore she has to get a scholarship to attend.

“I wasn’t birthed into riches,” said Ephriam. “However, my mother gave me the tools to succeed. She told me to keep my grades up and put me on a track told me to run…”

“Though we don’t have the money for out-of-state schools,” she said. “I have the grades, strength, and determination to pave my own way. I plan on getting a scholarship for my academics and/or athleticism.  Come what may… I am ready to make my mark in this world.”

Ephriam graduates from high school May 2013.