Melissa Gonzalez was born to run. The 2012 graduate of Creekview High School was a stand-out in Track her junior year. CHS coach Misti Springfield noted that Melissa kept winning every meet, then district meets, then regionals. Melissa’s mom, Temple Creamer-Gonzalez, who is a teacher at Perry Middle School stated, “Misti recognized that Melissa had a talent that needed more specialized training. She unselfishly reached out to then coach Stephani Perkins at Ranchview to step in and prepare Melissa for the state meet.”
“This was a moment that shaped everything. Perkins once a national record-setting hurdler herself, and she also had her own private team outside of school, which Melissa quickly joined. This increased her training, catapulting her into the highest level of competition. None of this would have ever happened had Coach Springfield not reached out in the spirit of sportsmanship to find the best coach – even if it wasn’t her – for her athlete.”
Melissa attended Kent Elementary and Blalack Middle School before attending Creekview. Melissa earned a full Track scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin. She graduated in 2016 with a degree in Sport Management. Melissa’s track career did not end with college. She currently runs for the Colombian National team.
Eyes on the Olympics
Every competition on a national level, whether in the U.S. or in South America, is a platform for her to submit an Olympic qualifying time. Her plans are to run in the National Championships this summer in South America. She will represent Colombia, where she holds dual citizenship. Additionally, she plans to compete in the PanAmerican games later this summer. Another goal of hers is to break the Colombian national record in 400m hurdles.
Academic and Athletic Roots in CFB
Melissa’s little sister, Samantha Gonzalez, won at state in hurdles 2 years in a row, 2015-2016. Samantha is currently finishing her fourth year as a full-ride scholarship athlete at the University of Miami. Youngest sister, Lily, is a first-grader at Kent and is carrying on the tradition of winning every Fun Run and Turkey Trot she competes in.
Melissa married fellow CHS alum David Blough, her high school sweetheart. Blough is an accomplished football player, having played quarterback at Purdue University, and having recently signed a contract as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns.
