Eseose Okoduwa - Track Star

Eseose Okoduwa - Converse University

“Future Doctor On The Run”

Spartanburg, SC

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Converse University

When it comes to the sport of Track and Field, timing is everything. In 2009, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt set the world record for 19.19 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa cemented his name into the record books by running a time of 43.03 seconds in 2016, a world record. Sprinter Eseose Okoduwa of Converse Univeristy has made time a constant companion for her on the track.

Most recently, Eseose participated with Converse University Woman’s track and field team and won the Indoor Conference Championships for the first time in school history. She says, “I have never been part of a team that has worked as hard or wanted to win as much as we have. Seeing everyone come together and do their part to the best of their ability, as well as supporting their teammates, was truly a beautiful experience and something that I will always remember.”

Eseose, a Junior, is from Columbia, SC. She graduated from Dreher High School before coming to Converse University. Her mother is from St. Thomas, Jamaica, and her father is a native of Edo State, Nigeria. Both came to the United States as immigrants at a very young age. Eseose is the oldest of four kids. “My parents have always been very supportive of my athletic career. I’ve run with AAU Track and Field ever since I was a kid, and every step of the way, they’ve supported me financially and guided me through very difficult situations and decisions that I had to make.”

Esoese has also accomplished a great deal in her career at Converse. In 2023, she was named to the Conference Carolinas Indoor Track and Field Athletes to Watch list, placed 5th in the 200-meter dash at the JDL College Kick-Off (26.34 seconds), and finished 6th in the long jump at the UAB Vulcan Invitational (5.06 meters. Eseose also placed 5th in the long jump, 6th in the 200-meter dash (5.22 meters, 26.76 seconds) and placed 4th in the 60-meter dash, and 6th in the 200-meter dash (7.80 seconds, 25.74 seconds). Additionally, she qualified for the finals of the 60-meter dash at the Conference Carolinas Indoor Track and Field Championships (7.73 seconds) and placed 10th overall in the long jump (5.11 meters). Eseose also finished 7th in the 60-meter dash finals at 7.78 seconds. Off the field, Eseose studies biology and has conducted biology/psychology research under Dr. Keen and Dr. Erturk, as well as shadowed physicians while working in a pharmacy as a technician. It’s safe to assume that Eseose is good at what she does.

Being a student-athlete, Eseose shares, encouraged her to hone her time management skills. “You have to make time for everything that you need to get done.” Additionally, Eseose says the sport of track is a positive outlet for her, and it also allows her to do what she enjoys most, which is working out. “Setting goals and meeting those standards can be difficult within itself, but that validation of perseverance and hard work is definitely satisfying,” she says.

Like everything else in life, Eseose has faced some challenges on the track. The summer before she was a freshman in high school, she sprained her ankle in the long jump at the AAU Junior Olympics in Michigan. Her injury caused her to be out for more than half a year. Getting back onto the track was very difficult because she had to face the fear of failing before getting back to 100%. “It felt as if I had worked so hard to build up my technique and athleticism that coming back to train was like starting from square one,” she says. With patience and dedication and wanting to be an even stronger athlete than before, Eseose was able to fall back in love with Track and Field.

Moving forward, Eseose plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. Her advice to other athletes who have similar dreams and aspirations is clear. “What you want for yourself may take more than one attempt or even can be achieved in multiple ways; it’s up to you to determine the most effective path, even if it’s not a straight line. It’s important to take everything one step at a time. Patience and persistence are key. Take these experiences and minor setbacks and utilize them to the best of your ability, and use them as tools to build with towards your next win.”