Trey Hardee Drew Support from His Lakeland Family

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http://www.theledger.com/article/200807 ... and_Family

Will Compete In The Decathlon
Olympian Hardee Drew Support from His Lakeland Family

Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 7:02 a.m.
Getting a chance to compete in the Olympics is just about every athlete's dream. After two days of fierce competition and years of training beforehand, Trey Hardee's vision of sporting the red, white and blue in Beijing is now a reality.

HARDEE FILE
Age: 24

Height/Weight: 6-5, 210

Residence: Austin, Texas

College Experience: Mississippi State University (through 2004); University of Texas (through 2006; NCAA decathlon champion in 2005)

Olympic Event: Decathlon (first trip to the Olympics)

Hardee on the Web:
Trey Hardee will be writing about his Olympic experiences while he is in Beijing. To view his blogs and much more, go online to www.treyhardee.com during the Olympics in August.

The 24-year-old former University of Texas standout gave it his all in 10 events in June and ended up with a second-place finish in the decathlon in Eugene, Ore. While he celebrated in front of nearly 21,000 fans at Hayward Field, the new Olympian had a special cheering section to share the dream with him.

Hardee's grandfather and uncle were among his family members that made the trip to "Track Town, USA" from Lakeland.

"It's unique for me just how loving and affectionate they are just because you are in the family," Hardee said. "You have a huge Italian support group from Lakeland, Fla., cheering you on. I'm extremely blessed to have them in my family."

For Hardee's grandfather Tom DiCesare, the event was awe inspiring.

"This was an event beyond anything that I anticipated and certainly rank it beside getting married possibly and going to Italy with my 21 family members," said the 72-year-old Lakeland High School graduate. "It was just colossal."

Hardee's path to Beijing wasn't a smooth one. He had to overcome a hip injury, which cut his training short.

"At this time last year, I couldn't even train, I couldn't do anything," said Hardee, who lives in Austin, Texas. "My hip was pretty busted up. I couldn't run. It hurt to walk.

Once his hip healed, Hardee was forced to put his training into high gear.

"Really it wasn't until this year, until like late winter, early spring of 2008, that I was really able to train really hard again," he added.

After qualifying for the trials at the Texas relays in April, Hardee's hard work paid off.

He posted a career-best total of 8,534 points, ranking him behind overall winner Bryan Clay and ahead of Olympic veteran Tom Pappas. All three men will head to Beijing.

"The whole year, to have it go the way it did, I couldn't have planned it any better," said Hardee, a Nike-sponsored athlete. "It's almost been perfect."

Not bad for the now 6-foot-5 track star who was once overlooked when he tried to make the basketball team in high school.

"I was so impressed with his athletic ability," said Hardee's uncle, Joe Dicesare. "I played basketball with him, he can slam dunk behind his head with ease. He's just a natural God-gifted athlete, there's no question about it."

Now Dicesare has the pleasure of bragging about what his nephew has become.

"It's hard to explain when you realize your nephew is probably one of the greatest athletes in the world," said the 46-year-old, who brought along his son and daughter to the trials in Oregon.

Competing in front of a packed stadium with family members on hand might be nerve wracking to some, but Hardee remained composed. The professional, however, did get to share a special moment with the DiCesare crew in the midst of the Olympic battle.

While taking a break during the pole vault event, Hardee heard voices directed toward him from the crowd.

"Trey, lets go Trey!"

"I turned and looked and it was Joe DiCesare sitting there with his family," Hardee said. "They were waving at me, and I'm kind of embarrassed but yet at the same time, it was cool to see some familiar faces and know that they were out there watching."

Once the competition was over, Tom DiCesare was touched by the image that stood out.

"He spotted his mother, hugged her, kissed her and gave her the flowers (he was awarded with his medal)," said DiCesare, who was choked up describing the setting. "As an oldster, I just thought it was a scrumptious ending."

Hardee earned the chance to make his family members in Lakeland gleam with joy even more. He will leave for Beijing at the end of this month and compete later in August.

"This was a crowning achievement for him," said Tom DiCesare. "We're just delighted for him and hope that he'll make America proud and make himself proud."