SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — The first time Cortaveus Dorsey came to Green Oaks, becoming a track and field star was not on his agenda.
He originally joined the team in hopes of improving his skills on the football field, but after his freshman season he fell in love with track and field.
“I made it to Regionals my freshman year,” Dorsey said. “I really didn’t know how to triple jump at all. I used to be a distance runner. I started believing in myself. It’s me vs. me out here.”
Cortaveus set Green Oaks’ triple jump record last year with a 42-5. This year, he broke that and set the new school record with a jump of 45-3. Cortaveus has placed first in triple jump four times this season.
“Cortaveus has grown a lot,” explained Green Oaks track and field head coach James Bradford. “We have videos of him trying to learn the steps for jumping, and now he’s able to execute those. He’s able to get 45 which is huge because it ranks him in the top three in our state.”
The jumper helped Green Oaks win the District 1-2A Championship this year. Cortaveus is also the 2024 district champion in long jump and triple jump.
The junior has also qualified for the state indoor track meet in triple jump the past two years.
Last summer, tragedy struck the Dorsey family that changed Cortaveus’ life forever.
“I started working harder when I lost my brother this summer,” reflected Dorsey. “It was at a block party, they started shooting and he got hit by a stray bullet.”
Cortaveus began to look at losing his sibling as a new source of motivation for himself.
“My brother used to always tell me he’s proud of (my brothers and I).” explained Dorsey. “That’s what makes me do better, knowing that he’s looking at me and watching me.”
Cortaveus gets to compete alongside his other brother Amarion Dorsey on the Giants’ track and field team.
The two of them honor their older brother’s legacy every time they put the spikes on.
“My brother went through more pain than (running), so this isn’t nothing,” Dorsey said. “I look forward to try and go as far as I want to.”
“They put that on their shoulders,” added Coach Bradford. “They want to make sure that (their older brother) knows that they’re proud of him. They loved him a whole lot.”
Since losing his brother, the junior has also started making his dreams come to fruition off the track.
“I told my brother I was going to have a clothing brand,” Cortaveus explained. “I showed him the stuff I was making, and he liked it. When he passed, I took my brand more seriously.”
Cortaveus’ clothing brand is called ‘Trust the Process’ and he’s been working on it since his freshman year. He has over millions of views on his work.
Cortaveus has been a part of Green Oaks Track and Field since day one. It’s undeniable that the junior has left his footprint on the Giant’s program.
“When I was younger, I didn’t have anyone that knew track and football who was ahead of me and knew what to do,” explained Cortaveus. “I look at (my younger teammates) and say, ‘Hey I’ve been there as a freshman and I’m going to help you get here.'”
Cortaveus will now be eligible for the Marketplace Chevy Athlete of the Year Award, which comes with a $2500 scholarship. The Athlete of the Year Banquet will take place this May.
