College Corner: E. Stroudsburg Sprinter Damien Boham

Freshman sprinter Damien Boham has kicked off his college career, both academically and athletically. The 2011 graduate competes in the 400- and 800-meter sprints at East Stroudsburg University, both indoor and outdoor seasons.

The Warriors have only had one meet this season, and Boham said they've been on winter break for a while, but tomorrow, they'll head to Kutztown for their second meet, and things should pick up thereafter.

Boham will hope to capitalize on a successful Spring-Ford career, where he has a school record time of 48.93 in the 400, and a personal record of 1:55 (achieved at states in the relay) in the 800. He attributed his successes to the coaching staff.

"The coaching staff was amazing at Spring-Ford," Boham said. "They really know what their doing in getting you ready to become a great athlete at the next level. They preach hard work and that totally helped me. Everybody going to college needs to keep training up if they want to be the best athletes. Coach Stauffer and Coach D[eAngelo] really preached that stuff."

Boham indicated that although he didn't accomplish a conference championship at Spring-Ford, he'd like to help East Stroudsburg achieve one before he leaves. He's also hopeful of being named Freshman of the Year in indoor and outdoor, and maybe even an All-American before it's all said and done.

Right now, he's trying to learn all he can so that he can someday be a solid upper classman for the Warriors.

"We've got some pretty great seniors out here," he said. "I just want to keep on pace with what they've done. I don't know yet as a freshman, but down the road, I would hope I'd be a leader my junior or senior year."

Academically, Boham is majoring in nursing and ended up with a 3.6, which he's pretty happy with for his first semester. He'd like to keep his GPA above a 3.5 throughout college and eventually work in an Intensive Care Unit somewhere in Pennsylvania.

Overall, he's grateful to the Spring-Ford family for all that he's become.

"I just want to give a big thanks to my coaches for helping me be the great athlete that I am right now," he concluded. "They really put a lot of hard work in, being there every day at school."