Riverside senior Gabe Hunt talks with scrunners about his running journey prior to the Mike Moore Shrine Bowl Run on Saturday.
Name: Gabe Hunt
Hobbies: running, watching Ohio State football, keeping up with sports stats
Academic interest: Sports Management, favorite class is Sports Medicine 2 Honors
Personal bests: 16:37 5K, 2:07 800m
What does it mean to be named to the Shrine Bowl Run team and help the hospital?
This is an amazing opportunity and I am blessed to be a part of something special. The hospital does a lot to help young children and this is just a small way of representing them and giving back.
What did you hear about the Shrine Bowl Run before this year?
I heard how much fun it is and how it's a great experience that everyone should be a part of.
What do you hope to experience during the event?
I hope to be able to connect with some other elite runners in the state and learn more about all that the Shriners Hospital of Greenville does for those around the country.
How are you preparing to run with a football?
It's certainly much more of a challenge than regular running but it shouldn't be a problem. So I'd say just focusing on enjoying the moment rather than the struggle of running with the ball will be the strategy to success.
How would you rate your senior season?
Nine out of 10. Definitely a great season, great placement at some meets and I was able to cut a ton of time from a rough season that I had last year. Only a nine though because I wish we had gotten runner up at state or state champ, and I wish I broke 16:30 but now I am focusing on track and keeping my eye on the school record for the 800m.
"My motivation was to beat last year and prove that I am worth far more than what I perform sometimes and that I haven't peaked yet." - Gabe Hunt
What future goals do you have?
Break two in the 800m
Break 4:30 for the mile
Break the school record for the 800
Run D1 after graduation.
Have you made the decision to compete at the next level? Please explain.
I have not committed although I have been offered several opportunities/ scholarships to run in college. Although I have not committed, I am focusing on Winthrop and Clemson as my top schools.
How did you get involved with the sport and when?
When I was in third grade I ran my first 5K and didn't start getting serious till my sophomore season and really you can argue that this season I have shown the most growth and development.
Do you have any relation or know someone that has attended the Shriners Hospital?
Not that I am aware of.
How have you seen the sport change in the state? Please explain.
I have seen more leaders and more of a family feel between the running community especially through COVID and realignments of teams going 5A to 4A. I think it's a really awesome thing for the top runners (guys and girls) to be here for each other and really supportive. Sometimes our egos can want to take over and it's just an amazing gift to see everyone blend together. I've seen runners like Spain Vaughan, Sam Rich, and Reid Vonrosenberg really shine with leadership and spotlight their teams during their respective years in high school and put their teams before their own fame.
What was your motivation for your final XC season?
My motivation was to beat last year and prove that I am worth far more than what I perform sometimes and that I haven't peaked yet.
If there is one thing in the world you could do, what would it be and why?
World peace, there is so much harm that is being done in our world and we (collectively), need to do better loving on each other and not picking each other apart. We need to put our differences aside and look at the inner person. There are wars happening over childish behaviors that could be solved and I wish that everyone could be in agreement most importantly.