L.A. high junior quarterback Shawn Pringle uses track and field to condition for football (Amanda Scurlock/L.A. Sentinel)
During his first year playing varsity, Los Angeles high school junior Shawn Pringle took on the onus of being the quarterback for the Romans. In the 10 games they played, Pringle made 60 passes for 1494 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Competing at the quarterback position was difficult for Pringle, he was not a signal caller coming into this season.
“Learning how to throw the ball with the right form. It used to hurt because I used to side-arm,” Pringle said. “Then I perfected my form so now I can throw better.”
Pringle noted how he not only loves the sport but how football gives him the opportunity to take his emotions out. One key lesson he learned this season was how to manage his emotions on the field.
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“If I mess up on a play, my coaches always telling me I need to bounce back the next play,” Pringle said. “But sometimes I get frustrated, and I let my emotions out … I’m learning how to control them.”
Growing up, he played for several different Pop Warner teams, including Baldwin Hills Bruins, the West L.A. Rams, and SoCal Raiders. In the offseason, Pringle competed in track and field so he can stay in shape for football season. He runs for the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay team.
In the 4x100m relay, Pringle runs the second leg. He noted how running the second leg is “a lot of pressure.”
“The first leg has to stay at least next to [their opponent]or faster, then I need to sure be past them by at least a couple of meters or at least a meter,” Pringle said. “Then my third leg can go and then the fourth leg … to finish it off.”
Track practice is more of a challenge for Pringle than meets. One drill that both the track and football teams conduct is running up and down the hill located outside the south side of campus.
“You have to run up the hill 10 to 15 times and in football, we do the same thing,” Pringle said. “You have to back pedal, sprint, squat.”
While pursuing his athleticism, Pringle prioritizes school. His coaches also hold him accountable academically.
“If my grades aren’t up, I’m not playing, so I need to do my work,” Pringle said. “That’s what really motivates me to do my work.”
Among his classes are A.P. United States History and Algebra II. Pringle uses class time to get most of his work done.
“As soon as they assign it, I do it right there,” he said. “Whatever’s left over, I have to do it at home.”
Pringle also takes a peer counseling class; activities in that class include meditation and listening sessions. He noted how the class really calms him down.
“You don’t have to do physical work except for writing down your goals,” he said. “I’ve never meditated in my life until this class. I sat there and meditated and felt like a new person.”
