There's
a new member that has joined the Rickard track & field team this school
year and his name is Trevor Wilson. The former track and football standout at
Lincoln High School has taken his talents to the southside of Tallahassee and
has not disappointed. He has continued to show his strength is in the 400m dash as he is currently ranked 12th in the nation in this
event.
Before his arrival at Rickards, Wilson is a three-time AAU national champion in the 100 and 200m dash, although he has moved up to be a powerful 400m runner. Wilson started running competitively at a very young age, where he was influenced by his sister, Tamani Wilson, who is current a sophomore in college running track at Ohio State University.
"I was about seven years old when I first started running track. Growing up and watching my sister run track and the atmosphere it was, I knew it was something I wanted to do as well. It was soon after, I started training for all the ups and downs that have occurred through the years", said Wilson.
Since Trevor started running track at a very young age, he has continued to enjoy dominating his competition in all aspects of it. Wilson said, "I love the competition. Competitiveness runs strong through my body. It's been instilled in me from a young age and I couldn't imagine a better feeling."
Even though Trevor has been dominant throughout his career, he knows his training must be on point and consistent to maintain his dominant reputation on the track. He added, "Training through my track career is something you probably wouldn't imagine. It always starts off very hard at the beginning of every season. As indoor season passes the training starts to become normal and easier to me."
Playing sports can help an athlete overcome adversity in life. Some may have personal family struggles, academic problems, or just tough circumstances in life. Sports help most athletes ease the pain they suffer in their normal lives. There are many athletes that won't show that they're struggling, but with these activities and opportunities, they get a chance to make life better and it gives them hope in times where a successful life seems far away.
For Trevor, running track and playing football have helped him overcome adversity in his life, as he has spent most of his time playing sports. Trevor told me,"Track has helped me overcome adversity in life. Track season and football overlap for one week, which means I have one crazy week. But this doesn't allow me to get into much, except for track and football. So I treat track more like a hobby, something I really enjoy doing."
Many people have their own dreams to achieve in life. For Trevor it is to make a name for himself, for the future youth to see so they can be motivated to do the same thing he has accomplished. "My biggest dream is to leave a great name for myself. I dream to create a legacy for my children to look up to", said Wilson.
Everyone has been influenced and motivated to be who they are today. Trevor Wilson believes his influence to doing this sport came from his own father. He adds,"My dad has had the biggest influence on who I have become. He is a great coach as well as a great father. I look up to and respect him as both."
Wilson is currently ranked 12th in the nation in the 400m with a time of 47.83. His current personal best time is 47.31 that he ran last year at the FHSAA Regional Championship happens to be his most memorable race thus far in his career, due to it being his personal best.
With Trevor being a very popular athlete in football and track & field he has been contacted already by multiple colleges. Although it is still very early in the recruiting process, Trevor believes he understands the recruiting game very well, since he was able to watch his sister go through the recruiting process. Wilson commented, "The recruiting process has been nice and steady these past few months, and yes, my sister has taught me a lot of the recruiting process."
Trevor hasn't figured out his future as he is just a junior, but he wants to continue to run track as well as pursue his football career. He said, "I haven't completely made my decision for sure. As of now, I'm leaning more towards schools that will let me run track and play football. I will be an early high school graduate, which leaves me with a start for football in the spring and a college track season beginning in January."
As Trevor will be getting ready to take his talents to the next level in less than a year, his advice to future youth athletes is to be humble with their talents. "The best advice is to stay humble. Listen to everyone who tries to help and live up to the moment."
As the postseason gets closer, Wilson hopes to continue his quest for a state title in the 400m and 4x4 relay. In 2A, he is currently ranked 2nd in the 400m, while his 4x4 squad is ranked 3rd. Wilson is well aware of the schools he and his 4x4 team will have to face in May and believes that his team has what it takes to defeat Hallandale and American Heritage.
Wilson added, "The way I see it, with hard work and dedication anything can happen. But my team has been putting in the work and we are going to keep grinding throughout the season. Our team is going to be ready when the stage arrives and we just have to trust our coaches to get us there."
