When Joseph Fryou steps to the starting line, his eyes absorb the freshly laid chalk as he notices every grain. A nervous excitement of indescribable intensity is palpable in the air as the runners are jostling for their places. Fryou can feel his heartbeat, but he does not notice the sound of the starter’s pistol. Fryou knows his cue when his teammates and competitors make their first move from the starting line. Fryou lost his hearing from spinal meningitis complications at 15 months old. Since he lost his hearing at such a young age, once Fryou started school, he had to learn how to communicate with the world earlier than most people.

In school it was difficult for teachers and students to communicate with him, so at school events, Fryou’s mother had to attend so he could participate. Fryou said his mom was always there for him and tried to make his life as normal as possible.

“She has done endless things for me, and I am glad to have her because not many moms would do what she did. If it were not for my mom, I would not be where I am today.” Fryou said.

As a freshman, Fryou-or Joby, as he is known to his friends, teammates, coaches and family-entered Berwick High School where his parents encouraged him to join a sport. One day while at school, Fryou was told an announcement for cross-country. He thought it would be interesting, so he joined the team. Fryou said the first day of practice was difficult.

“I barely ran one-fourth of a mile before I had to stop and walk,” Fryou said. After practice was over, the coach told the athletes the only people who could participate were those who could run two miles without stopping.

For the next few weeks, Fryou was determined to succeed. Every day he trained to run two miles without stopping. For the first track meet, Fryou had the opportunity to compete in the two-mile run. Like most people who embark on life’s new experiences, Fryou finished dead last. At this point, some people would have accepted failure and quit. But Fryou is not some people. Fryou’s passion for running outweighed his life’s obstacles.

“It took me 22 minutes to finish two miles; I was the last runner to finish the race. After the first race, I knew I loved running, so I started practicing and practicing,” Fryou said.

At the end of his freshman year, Fryou could run five miles without stopping. During high school, Fryou became a four-year letter-winner in track and field and in cross-country. He was named all-district squad and helped the Berwick High Panthers claim the district championship in the two-mile event during his senior year.

When Fryou is not practicing or studying for a final, he can be found bowling in a local league or participating in physical activites such as weightlifting, basketball and football. He also loves to play video games every day.

Fryou’s abilities are not limited to athletics. He is also well-rounded in the academic realm, graduating in the top 10 percent of his high school class. Fryou is now a freshman in college majoring in biology, and he holds a 3.29 GPA. He said it is not easy balancing school and practicing.

“I just had to learn to manage my time and use it wisely,” Fryou said. “I knew I could not let my grades drop.”

Fryou said his future depends on his grades because of his disability.

“It will be hard for me to find a job with employers who will not see past my disability and realize I have the skills to do the job,” Fryou, said.

Fryou’s goals at Nicholls are to run a 25-minute five-mile run and to graduate with the highest grades possible. Fryou said he enjoys attending Nicholls.

“I have grown to love Nicholls, and I hope to stay here until I graduate,” Fryou, said.

Not only is Fryou determined to succeed, his coach, Craig Binkley, feels the same way. Coach Binkley said from the first day of practice, Fryou has done everything he has been coached to do, which makes him a fun person to coach.

“Joby is truly a hard worker and a great person to be around. Since I have met him, I have been impressed with his attitude and determination as a student athlete,” Binkley said.

Binkley said Fryou’s strong work ethic and passion for running are two important attributes to becoming a successful collegiate cross-country athlete. These qualities, Binkley said, will serve Fryou well after he graduates.

“I think the best is yet to come. It will take a year or two of training for him to reach his full potential,” Binkley said. By the time he is a junior or a senior, I think he is going to be a very good athlete.”

Fryou said his advice to people who face the same circumstances is never to give in to what people think of you.

“Always follow your dreams and believe in yourself. People never know what you are capable of until you show them,” Fryou said.