Name: Austin Wilson
School: Valley Center High
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: I work on my form and technique. Also I watch videos on Ryan Crouser.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: I'm looking into how I can continue my track career in college.
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: my most memorable moment in track was probably the first meets of the year. Everyone gets to go, and they are always the longest but I live spending time with my team and supporting them.
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: well... it was at practice and we were throwing shot put and when I went across the ring I farted... no one knew it was a fart until I was like oops excuse me. Then they started laughing.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: either Dale Hatfield or Camden Dore
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
A: my greatest accomplishment I would have to say was just having the courage to go out for track. I was super nervous and didn't think I was good enough to throw. But I'm so glad that I gave it my all and joined the team.
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: I would change how much effort I put in my sophomore year. I didn't really try at all and didn't care how well I did. I feel like if I had the work ethic I had junior and senior year then I would've been way better off
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: the biggest obstacle I had to over come was thinking I had to be the best. I always thought the only way I'd get noticed is if I was the best. Yeah that's one way to do it but I realized that if I just go out there try my best and be a great leader... the. I'll be great!
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: being able to joke around with all my throwing buddies at meets and watching them compete
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: don't settle for mediocrity, go out there and give it you all every single day. Don't go out there with the mind set of "oh I'm a freshman or oh I'm a sophomore I've got plenty of time" cause you really don't. This time goes by fast. It'll be over before you know it. So approach every meet and every practice like it's your last... because you never know when your track career will be taken from you...
Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: my coach has been a role model for me since day one. Coach Orr didn't only teach me how to compete at a high level, but he also taught me what it's like to be a real leader and role model for other kids.
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I plan on attending butler Community college or Hutchinson Community College. I would love to continue my throwing career out there but i don't know if I'll get the chance to do so. But ultimately I want to work towards being a firefighter.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I'd like to thank all the coaches in general, they've all done so much for me in my time at Valley Center. The accepted me(a foster kid) into the hornet family with open arms. Coach Russell thank you for being a great leader to this team and always making good things outta bad. Coach Orr thank you for all the hard work and dedication you put into me to become a great throw I am today. Lastly Coach Emig, yeah you're not the head coach anymore but my sophomore and junior year you were, and you had so much confidence in me from day one and if it wasn't for you, I would've never thought of coming out for track. Thank you all so much for making a great impact on my life
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: the teammates I had all throughout my career are ones I wouldn't trade anything for. They helped and guided me, they works hard, we joked around and got so close, and they were all so supportive not only for me but each other.
Q: Favorite Meal?
A: PB&jJ with a side of applesauce.
Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
A: A gorilla. Just cause I'm already hug and i think I'd be cool to be even bigger and stronger.
Q: Your favorite superhero?
A: Captain America