Well it's that time of year when the Slippery Rock University track season is already in full stride. There are many key athletes on the team that make their contributions and their name known for everyone to see. One person in particular is freshman runner Hunter Williams. Even as a freshman, Williams has made his presence known this season as he continues to make an immediate impact for the track team and only hopes to get even better during the remainder of his college years. One of the biggest things Hunter would have to experience is what it's like doing high school and college track and ways in which the transition would help prepare him.
Hunter Willimas gives insight of what events he competes in and his experiences running track at SRU.
Hunter Williams was born in Denton, Texas and lived in Sanger, Texas during his childhood. He first became interested in track when his 6th grade principle, who was the coach for the summer track club, asked him if he wanted to be a part of the team. At first he couldn't do it, but Hunter would eventually begin running track by the 7th grade. Also while growing up, he would excel in other sports besides track. He spent thirteen years playing baseball, eight years playing football, and five years playing basketball. Even though he had his opportunities to play these other sports, Hunter decided that track was the sport he wanted to concentrate on the most. Williams moved to Zelienpole, Pennsylvania in 2008 and would attend Seneca Valley High School where he would excel even more in track.
In high school, Williams competed in the 400-meter-dash, 4X400 relay, 200-meter-dash, 4X100 relay, and the long jump. He was the WPIAL champion in 400-meter-dash and 4X400 relay. He would break the school record in the 400-meter-dash and helped his team break the school record in the 4X400 relay. He also placed third in the 4X400 relay and finished seventh in the 400m dash at the PIAA State meet, which would make Williams the first male track athlete to win more than one state medal.
Hunter competing in the 200-meter-dash of the Dave Labor Invitational
Williams came to Slippery Rock in 2011and joined the track team in his freshman year. He currently competes in events such as the 400m and 200m dash, and he's apart of the 4X100m and 4X400m relay teams. Williams explained what the transition was like running between high school and college. He said, "The transition has not been too bad. The training has gotten more rigorous and has lasted a lot longer than it did in high school." He mentioned that here at Slippery Rock, training started within the first three weeks of the first semester, while in high school he didn't start training until December. Williams would go on to say, "The level of competition is much higher than in high school, which has pushed me to get better." Hunter also talked about how tough it was at first being able to balance between school and track in college compared to high school, and how it took time to gain everything under control. He further explained some of the differences and similarities he's had at Slippery Rock compared to high school. He explained, "I've done quite a few different workouts then I did in high school, but I already have done similar workouts because my high school coach got some workouts from the Slippery Rock track coaches."
Here's a video of Hunter competing in the 400-meter-dash of the Dave Labor Invitational.
Williams also gave his insight of what it's been running at Slippery Rock and has said that he's adjusted well at Slippery Rock in his freshman year. He said "A big part of me being able to adjust so well is because of my teammates, they are like my second family." As far as the future goes, Williams said that he will continue to run track in college and plans to get a degree in Geology and a minor in Geographical Information Technologies. Once graduating college, he hopes to do something in natural gas and oil.
Joe Burns gives his insight of who Hunter Williams is as a person and teammate.
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