Hunter who? From Tampa Jesuit you say? Nah, no way that small all-boys catholic school down in south Florida could produce a 47.54 second 400m 2A state champion, right? Wrong.
“Well, it’s funny because I kind of have two opposites working for me. On one hand, I’m 6’2’’ 182lbs so other guys get really intimidated by me at the starting line which already gives me a mental edge over my competition. But I’m also white, and that whole stereotype comes into play where most people don’t think white guys can run that fast.”
I think it’s safe to say that since 2004 when reigning Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner took home the gold in the 400m, the skeptics and disbelievers were left in shock and awe.
“I remember when I first saw Jeremy Wariner in a sports illustrated magazine with a Baylor uniform on. When I found out he won the Olympics I was amazed that a white guy could run that fast! It was incredible I thought.”
Hunter Clasen, a senior at Tampa Jesuit, has used that motivation over the past two ...
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