Destiny Lundy poses for a photo. DM Photo | Matthew Evans
Destiny Lundy grew up running across the Arizona desert.
“Coming to Ole Miss was one of the absolute last thoughts on my mind as far as considering schools for track,” recalled Lundy. Nevertheless, she came to Ole Miss as a freshman in 2011 on a track scholarship.
Lundy has participated in a number of track and field events from running relays to hurdling.
“Coming to this side of the United States was not even on my mind,” Lundy said. “But it opened up plenty of opportunities for me to grow.”
Lundy, who is used to wise-open spaces and cactus plants, said life in Oxford is different from Chandler, Arizona.
“Coming from where I grew up, I barely saw a tree, let alone so many lakes and bodies of water,” Lundy said. “I’m used to looking across a field and seeing nothing but dry, open land, and then I move here and see nothing but trees, leaves, trees — infinite trees.”
Lundy grew up in a small town in Arizona, not used to Mississippi breezes and the state’s transitions between seasons.
“Arizona is exactly how most people picture it,” Lundy said. “I love the transitioning of the seasons here. That is when it is the most beautiful and has the most enjoyable weather here. I really enjoy it because it helps out with breathing better with me doing many track activities.”
In many ways, Lundy admits her decision to move to Mississippi has shaped the course of her life — even in matters of the heart. She refers to Jamal Moss, her boyfriend of one year, as one of her biggest influences since moving to Mississippi.
“Jamal has made this move worth every mile I drove and every minute I spent getting here,” Lundy said. “It’s like he put everything into perspective for me. I did not know moving here I would find someone who could possibly be my soulmate. It is truly a blessing.”
Lundy, going into her senior year and final track season at The University of Mississippi, reflected upon how much track really influenced her life. At an earlier age, track was not even a major factor in her life until her father, Ben Lundy, worked with her to get her to admire her own talent.
“My father brought to my attention the speed I had when I was about 10,” Lundy said. “To be honest, I was just running and playing. You know, doing what kids do, and that’s play. From that moment on, my father helped coach me and mold me into noticing my speed.”
Lundy was part of a track club called AZ Flames. She grew to love it, but being diagnosed with a life changing condition really put a strain on her outlook in the track area.
One of Lundy’s biggest struggles, and a huge motivation in her track career, was being diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 12.
“Post surgery, doctors told me I was not going to be able to run again or even walk without complications,” Lundy said.
Lundy had to have a spinal fusion operation, which left her with two titanium rods and bolts attached to her spine.
“Being that young and having to learn how to walk again really put a hurt on me,” Lundy said. “I really felt like I could not do anything anymore.”
As time passed, Lundy heavily participated in physical therapy to try to get back into track, going against doctor’s orders. Going into high school, Lundy said she was excited to be able to compete at another level.
“The coaches were excited to train me due to what they heard about me and my credentials, but, at the same time, I felt like everyone was scared for me, knowing my condition,” Lundy said.
Lundy had her own personal tryout to get on to the varsity track team. Once she made the team, she went on to set multiple meet records and school records.
“It literally became my life and a reason for me to grind harder and harder every day,” Lundy said. “There were times when I felt like running track was a good enough motivation to wake up every day.”
Although Lundy’s life revolves primarily around track, there are other things in Oxford that she enjoys and that occupy her time.
“The Grove is by far the best thing in Mississippi, in my eyes,” Lundy said. “The atmosphere, the people, the tents make it worth every second you are standing out there on gameday. And not just gameday. The Grove is so beautiful and quiet on a typical day just going to class. There have been many days where I just sat out there and did my school work for many hours. It’s like God designed The Grove just for me.”
Although her track record was exemplary, Destiny was not highly recruited right out of high school. She contemplated staying at home for school and going to a community college because of expenses.
“Ole Miss was the only big name school that was willing to take me under a 75 percent coverage scholarship,” Lundy said. “My church (Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church) helped me and my family in a major way by contributing what was needed to pay all costs.”
