Hunter Turns Hoop Dreams Into Track Success
Jonathan Marshall
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Sports
Like many kids growing up, Aaron Hunter was captivated by the superb athleticism of basketball players, so much that it was his passion. It's funny how things change, because up until his junior year at Academy Park , the 6-2 long jumper for Lincoln University's track and field team was completely immersed in the round ball.
In high school, Hunter had no intentions of being apart of the track and field program at the Sharon Hill, PA school. It wasn't until a friend suggested he try out for the team. The athletic Hunter would make the team, but was not yet passionate about the sport, so he quit.
But inspiration would finally come in the form of Lincoln Townsend, who ironically was a former runner at Lincoln . During the summer months Townsend would coach Hunter on his AAU team. It was during this time where the coach saw track and field in Hunter's future. He suggested that he give up basketball and focus solely on track.
"That's when I started learning techniques for the long jump and triple jump," Hunter says of his time under Townsend's tutelage. "He [Townsend] told me that I should give up basketball, not to say that I'm not good at it, but he saw a brighter future for me in track."
Hunter would take heed to his coaches' advice and rejoin the team at the start of his junior year. He would grow to have fun with it but still did not take it serious. His senior year would prove to be his breakout year. Hunter would help lead his relay team to states for the first time in school history. He would also do wonders in field events, finishing number one in the long jump in Pennsylvania and eighth nationally. With basketball in his rearview, Hunter decided to continue track at the next level.
"It was hard for me to give up basketball my senior year," Hunter said. "I never really thought about coming to Lincoln . My AAU coach wanted me to go. He felt that I could get somewhere at Lincoln."
Hunter decided that Lincoln would be the right fit for him. He wanted to help out the program right away and not be red shirted like he would have at his other choice, Morgan State. With two years under his belt, it's clear that he made the right decision.
In high school, Hunter had no intentions of being apart of the track and field program at the Sharon Hill, PA school. It wasn't until a friend suggested he try out for the team. The athletic Hunter would make the team, but was not yet passionate about the sport, so he quit.
But inspiration would finally come in the form of Lincoln Townsend, who ironically was a former runner at Lincoln . During the summer months Townsend would coach Hunter on his AAU team. It was during this time where the coach saw track and field in Hunter's future. He suggested that he give up basketball and focus solely on track.
"That's when I started learning techniques for the long jump and triple jump," Hunter says of his time under Townsend's tutelage. "He [Townsend] told me that I should give up basketball, not to say that I'm not good at it, but he saw a brighter future for me in track."
Hunter would take heed to his coaches' advice and rejoin the team at the start of his junior year. He would grow to have fun with it but still did not take it serious. His senior year would prove to be his breakout year. Hunter would help lead his relay team to states for the first time in school history. He would also do wonders in field events, finishing number one in the long jump in Pennsylvania and eighth nationally. With basketball in his rearview, Hunter decided to continue track at the next level.
"It was hard for me to give up basketball my senior year," Hunter said. "I never really thought about coming to Lincoln . My AAU coach wanted me to go. He felt that I could get somewhere at Lincoln."
Hunter decided that Lincoln would be the right fit for him. He wanted to help out the program right away and not be red shirted like he would have at his other choice, Morgan State. With two years under his belt, it's clear that he made the right decision.
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