This season the Boxer track and field athletes have made new strides in the Northwest Conference. One contributor to the team’s success this season is sophomore Michael Hunker.
As a second year varsity athlete, Hunker runs the 4 x 4 relay, the 110-meter high hurdles, the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and his favorite, the 4 x 1 relay.
At the Oregon Preview on March 9, Hunker set season bests in both hurdle disciplines. He placed second in the 110-meter hurdle and also placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles.
More recently at the Pacific Lu’au Meet on April 9, Hunker took away two second place finishes. He completed the 400-meter high hurdles with a time of 57.64 and the 110-meter high hurdles in 15.95.
For Hunker, track wasn’t the only reason why he came to Pacific.
“I knew Pacific was a good school as far as the education was concerned,” said Hunker. “They have the newest track out of all the Division III schools in Oregon, the newest business building and its only seven minutes away from my house. How could I choose otherwise?”
Hunker’s inspiration for starting track came from his football years in high school.
“The main reason I got into track is from my defensive football coach in high school,” said Hunker. “He is the reason why I even got into hurdles.”
Hunker has had three personal records in hurdles at Pacific, which is 15.60 in the 110-meters and 56.50 in the 400-meter hurdles.
“I have had so much fun this season,” said Hunker. “I’ve had more fun on the track team than any other Pacific event or class combined.”
And track isn’t the only sport that he has a passion for.
Hunker tried out for football this past fall, but the time commitment was too great so he decided to stick with track.
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