Congratulations to this week's Patch Athlete of the Week: Gigi Petion

In a horrible twist of fate, defending district champion high jumper, Gigi Petion sprained his knee on his first run in the triple jump. He was out of action the rest of the event but his spirit shone through what could have been a devastating day for him.

Senior Gigi Petion was not only the defending district champion of District 6; he is one of the best high-jumpers in the state. Petion finished 6^th in the state last year as a junior. He has been marked at 6 feet 8 inches this year and with last year’s state champion high jumper, Antron Jackson of Miami Carol City graduated, Petion had a very good chance at a state 4A title.

As it was, Petion's absence opened the door for junior Paul Barrett of Gaither and junior Brandon Holloway of Alonso. Many young men would have sat and sulked the rest of the day, possibly even gone home. Petion did no such thing. He got a hold of a pair of crutches and hobbled out to the track to support his team.

Only he supported more than his own team.

The district competition was neck and neck between the two aforementioned jumpers. Barrett of Gaither had barely cleared 6 feet in his life and Holloway the same. The battle raged back and forth between Holloway and Barrett. Finally, Holloway could not clear 6 feet 2 inches by the third try. This left it up to Barrett. Barrett would lose the tiebreaker if he could not clear the height as Holloway possessed the tie-breaker. Barrett’s first attempt failed. Petion could not contain himself and began shouting out pointers to Barrett. Barrett took his second jump and knocked the bar off.

This was more than Petion could take, he clamored down the track on crutches to the high jump area, despite protestations from his coaches. Petion then had a face to face with Barrett about how he should approach his last jump.

Barret won district champ in the high jump and will be moving on to regionals, thanks greatly to Petion.

Senior Gigi Petion was also a starter on Alonso’s football team at wide receiver. He specializes in high, triple and long jump. Petion has won district high jump each year he’s entered. He began track and field in his sophomore year at Alonso. He claimed the 2009 district championship with a jump of 6 feet.

“That’s when my coach knew, high jump was where it’s at for me,” Petion said.

Petion's favorite subject is social studies with a 4.2 GPA. Gigi is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and works in his community after school.