Thomas Sumter distance runner Hunter Jarvis looks back at his high school career and choosing Winthrop.
What made you decide to commit to Winthrop?
I have had an interest in attending Winthrop even before the prospect of running there arose in my life. I had been interested in the University due to the fact that my grandmother attended and because I had heard many great things from friends and relatives who had or are currently attending. It was after being contacted by Coach (Ben) Paxton and realizing that not only was I interested in the University, but it was also interested in me, that I began considering it my top choice. My decision was basically final after my official visit where I got to spend time with Coach Paxton, his family, and the team, who were all very welcoming and excited at the idea of me joining them for the next four years. During my visit I also got a chance to see all of the great facilities and opportunities that the athletic, as well as academic departments offered. It was at this point that I knew I had found a place that fit me perfectly.
What were your other top choices?
Apart from Winthrop, I was also in contact with the University of Alabama and Newberry College. Coach Phil Peterson of Newberry sparked my interest in Newberry. I have had the privilege to work with Coach Peterson over the past few years, and would certainly not be the runner I am today without his coaching and support. He is one of best coaches I have ever been lucky enough to train under, and I consider him a very close friend.
What do you hope to achieve in academics and athletics?
Being that I am currently undecided in my major, I hope to be able to use every resource offered by Winthrop throughout my freshman year to find a program that fits me best and that I enjoy. From an athletics standpoint I hope to be able to make the transition from high school to college level cross country smoothly over the summer, and be ready to be a large part of the team's success over the next four years, in cross country as well as track.
What did you experience during each visit?
My first visit was in early September to the University of Alabama. I got the chance to sit down with Coach Waters and discuss my possible future as a student-athlete there. I was very impressed by the athletic and academic sectors of Alabama, but I found the school to be a little more overwhelming than what I was personally looking for. My second was to Newberry College, where I was given a one-on-one tour by a former student of the athletic, academic, and housing facilities. Being a private school, it had the much smaller environment that I felt would better suit me. My visit to Winthrop was the final visit, and the only overnight visit. I got the opportunity to spend the afternoon with the team, Coach Paxton, and his family. After thinking over all my visits, and discussing with my family, I found Winthrop to be the best fit for me to reach my full potential on and off the track.
What would you recommend to others when choosing a college?
My number one advice to high schoolers trying to decide on college, especially runners, would be to get a perspective of different places. Try large and small schools, public and private, and see what fits you best. You may be surprised with what you find once you actually get out there and experience different places.
What does it feel like to have the decision made?
Now that my decision in set in stone, I feel as though I can enjoy the rest of my senior year without the stress of having to scramble to find a college that fits me. I am happy with the choice my parents and I made to begin looking into colleges very early in my senior year.
What do you hope to achieve this spring?
With cross country being over now, I hope to have a very strong winter of training and getting in even better shape for track. I intend to do some indoor meets, which I have never done in previous years. I would like to try new events in track, as well as focus on bringing my PR's in my main events down as far as I can.
Looking at your career at Thomas Sumter, what will you remember the most?
My favorite memory throughout my running career at Thomas Sumter so far was the team's performance at the state cross country meet this year. We were certainly the underdogs coming into that race, and I think it's safe to say that there weren't many people out there who expected us to perform as well as we did. I was so proud of the whole team, and was so happy for them to finally see all of their hard work pay off. There's nothing quite like seeing your teammates PR by over a minute, and to grasp 3rd place at a meet where no one expected you to perform. I couldn't have been more proud of the team that day. It just goes to show that hard work will pay off in the end.
What individuals in your life were involved in helping you make the decision?
My parents and grandparents helped me to sort through all of the different experiences I had at the colleges I visited. It was their guidance and support that helped me make my decision.
