By GIUSEPPE UNGARO Managing Editor Even as an underclassmen, Ishmael Muhammad was observant and motivated. He watched, listened, and learned from some of the top track athletes to ever run the blue track at Oakcrest High School. As a freshman and sophomore, he watched the Falcons cruise through the Cape-Atlantic League schedule, make their mark during the weekend relays and ultimately win state titles. Muhammad had one goal then when he saw the success of his upperclassmen teammates: to be the best. “We didn’t know what we had in him (as a freshman),” Oakcrest winter track and spring assistant coach Eric Anderson said. “We had eight Division-I kids, but as a freshman and sophomore we had a feeling he would do well. But he would see them and he wanted to be like them, even better than them. He took that and ran for it, literally.” “As a freshman, I looked up to them and used them as motivation,” he explained. “I want to be better than them one day. I knew I had to work hard, but I had aspirations to catch up to them. I knew I had to work hard and it was going to take one or two years, but I think I earned it and that work paid off.” There is no doubt about that. 
Oakcrest senior Ish Muhammad won the state championship in the 800 meters this spring, posting a time of 1:48.52, a Meet of Champions record and the second-fastest time ever recorded in New Jersey by a high school runner. (Glory Days Magazine photo/Dave O’Sullivan) Muhammad won the 800 meters in a Meet of Champions-record time of 1:48.52, which is the best time posted in the past 34 years. It is the second fastest time in state history, just .08 seconds behind Plainfield’s John Marshall, who set the mark in 1980. The win was just the latest for the Falcons standout, who piled up wins and titles in the winter and spring seasons. Despite a nagging injury, Muhammad was still able to lead the Falcons to a CAL title. Muhammad captured the 800 meters state championship, winning the event by almost three seconds with a time of 1:50.65. However, the results are not the only aspect of Muhammad’s career that makes him special. It’s the fact that he worked to be a standout athlete and not just rely on his natural talent. He is one of the leaders on the team and excels off the track as well, taking academics seriously. “He is a great kid,” Anderson said. “He is an honor student and he is fun to be around. He is one of the kids that is the life of the party. He always has something to say and keeps everyone on their toes. He is a great kid. He is personable.” Anderson added: “He works more than anybody that I’ve ever seen. He has God-given ability, but he has the most determination and he doesn’t take a break unless you make him. It’s never enough. He wants to push for more. He wants to be the best.” That drive and desire on the track and in the classroom has given Muhammad an opportunity to be part of Villanova University’s track program. “I felt it was the place for me,” Muhammad said. “The athletes are great and I got along with the coaches. They understand athletes.” Muhammad, who will major in biology, added: “Academics are important. In the end, track is a way to get to school, but I have to be realistic. It helped me get a free education. It’s more important to do well academically.” There is no reason to doubt him. Contact Giuseppe Ungaro: gungaro@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDgisepu [adsense]
Ish Muhammad’s drive to be the best led to Meet of Champions title, meet record
