Will Hatchett (right) takes to the podium for the awards ceremony after his record-setting race Friday.
Habersham Central High sophomore track runner Will Hatchett holds the new state record in the 10,000 meter race. The 17-year-old ran the 6.4 mile race Friday in a record time of 36 minutes and 9 seconds. Hatchett becomes the first high school athlete in the state of Georgia to pull off this incredible feat.
Hatchett says, ” I felt pretty good while running and was just trying to think of what lap I was on.” Well, 25 laps later, Hatchett was in the record books for having the fastest 10k high school time in Georgia.
The day started out like any other day for Hatchett, except on this day, the weather was foggy and rainy looking. Hatchett went to class at HCHS and then headed to Willbanks Middle School to compete against White County High School. There were around 40 runners that competed in the track and field events on March 27.
Once the race started, Hatchett never looked back. He says, “I wasn’t really thinking about much, just trying to keep my pace and stay ahead of my competition. After he realized that he became the first high school athlete in Georgia to set this record, he says, “I was really excited and shocked. I was also very tired after the race.”
The very next day Hatchett had a race in Suwanne, Georgia, but says it wasn’t his best. “Yeah, I was still tired from the day before and my body just wasn’t up to par.” Can you blame him? His next meet is April 24th, at East Jackson High School. This will be the day for regions, as Habersham Central tries to qualify for State Competition.
