Daimon Spriggs
Mr. Spriggs played football for about 6 years; he started playing when he was about 7. He started playing lacrosse in the 7th grade due to his school not having a football team. After playing for some time Daimon started to have a stronger passion for the new sport. He started to take lacrosse more seriously and wanted to take it all the way. We had the honor to sit and talk with Mr Spriggs to talk about his journey.
What made you want to start playing in the first place?
Lacrosse wasn’t my first love, It was football. I started playing football at the age of 7 for a little league team. When it was time for me to go to middle school, my school didn’t have a football team. I was in the cafeteria, My coaches at the time told me that I would be playing. I didn’t take them seriously but when I tried it out I began to have fun with it but as time went by I started to fall in love with it. I started to look forward to playing and practicing. That's when I knew I started to genuinely love it.
Do you believe that playing sports in college will be different from playing in high school?
Yes, playing in college will be very different. The pace, skills, and strength will all be different. I also feel like it will be more serious than it is in high school. I play with people who are younger than me, like 10th and 9th graders, so it is more playful with them but I know once I start playing with people in college, I feel like it will be a little more serious.
Do you feel like you're prepared for the next step?
No, not just yet I feel as though my confidence isn’t there yet. And the reason is because of my size. A lot of people will see me and just feel like they can just bully or downplay me and stuff like that will get in my head. In college, it will be a whole different ball game. I’ll be playing against stronger, bigger boys, and if I don’t have the right mindset I feel like it’s going to impact my performance. So in due time, I want to build up my confidence, strength, and mindset, because all of those things are important, especially when you’re on the field.
Who or what has motivated you to get this far?
My family, but mainly my mother. Just making her proud and living up to her expectations is what drives me to always be great.
How do you balance your athletic career with other aspects of your life?
I try to focus on one thing at a time but also focus on one that’s more important and that's lacrosse because I know that will help me with my future. It has given me so many opportunities already so that's what made me focus on it even more because it is the way out for me. Growing up in Baltimore you learn that anything can happen to you no matter who you are or where you are so it’s important to set goals and focus on them. With lacrosse, I feel very safe and I have a great feeling that lacrosse will lead me into a better lifestyle and give me more opportunities than it already has throughout the years.
How do you maintain focus during high-pressure situations?
When I’m feeling off I would just step to the side, take deep breaths, and give myself a pep talk. I also look at my teammates because when I see them push through during bad situations their energy reflects on me which drives me to do better.
Have you ever experienced performance anxiety or mental blocks? If so, how did you overcome them?
Since I was a kid I have always had bad anxiety, it was something that I couldn’t get over. I still struggle with it a lot, especially with big crowds. So I wouldn’t say I have overcome it just yet but I will say that I try to focus on what I’m doing and not what’s in the crowd.
What sacrifices have you made to reach your level of success?
Not spending enough time with my family. Lacrosse and school take most of my time, even on weekends most times so I rarely see them, but I've learned sometimes you have to make choices you don't always agree with to get where you want to be.
Biggest accomplishment coming out of high school?
Making history in my school not only once but twice. Winning 2 regional championships back-to-back and being the first in my school to ever be committed to a college with a full-ride.
What is some advice you would give someone?
Always push yourself, every game is a mental game so always come ready to play with a positive mindset. You will make mistakes but that doesn't mean you beat yourself up about it, learn from them and grow.
