Wilt picks Kentucky

0

Caleb Wilt made history his senior season at Miami Trace.

He went undefeated during the 2015 season in the 110-meter high hurdles.

He won the SCOL, District, Regional and State championships.

He broke and broke again the school records in the 110’s and 300-meter hurdles (as well as the 4 x 400-meter relay with Cedric, DeAndre and Tyrae Pettiford) at Miami Trace.

A couple of weeks ago, he won the Midwest Meet of Champions (held at Ohio Wesleyan) which featured the best hurdlers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

Wilt announced Friday that he has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Kentucky where he will continue his education and his hurdling career.

Wilt had at least eight schools from which to choose.

“My top picks were Kentucky, Ohio State, Indiana and Cedarville,” Wilt said. One might wonder how Cedarville made it onto a list with those three large universities.

“Cedarville just has a great school and a great atmosphere,” Wilt said. “I really liked the people there. It has a homey feel and it is close to home.

“I took my campus visit to Kentucky during the indoor season,” Wilt said. “I just really liked everything about it. I liked the coaching staff, the people, the atmosphere, the entire campus. Everything was just great there. Everyone was friendly. It just felt like a home away from home. It’s a big school with a small-school feel to it.

“I’m actually going to be coached by Allen Johnson,” Wilt said. “He’s an Olympic gold medalist in the 110’s.”

Johnson struck gold in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games.

Kentucky’s head track coach is Edrick Floréal, who competed for Canada in the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics.

Will Wilt compete in the 400-meter hurdles, or any relays, in addition to the 110’s?

“I think it’s still to be determined,” Wilt said. “But, I think (Coach Floréal and I) both have our focus on the 110’s. We’ll see what I can do when I get there.”

Wilt won the State title in the 110-meter hurdles by being the first of the nine finalists to get out of the starting blocks.

“Pat Woods, owner of Crossfit Clintonville, has been training me since September,” Wilt said. “He’s been doing my weight and explosive training. I wanted him to be here, since he’s been through it all with me.

“Coach Tim (Walters) texted me this morning,” Wilt said. “He’s busy pouring concrete.”

The veteran coach also worked with Wilt this past season.

How long did it take for the realization of winning the State championship to sink in?

“It took a couple of days,” Wilt said. “I remember the day I won (June 6), it was just like, ‘this doesn’t even seem possible right now.’

“I had a goal and I reached it,” Wilt said. “That’s one of the greatest feelings, too; not only winning the State, but accomplishing my goal, too.

“My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is No. 1,” Wilt said. “I’d like to thank Coach Tim (Walters), Coach (Brent) Noes, Pat, all my family. All the people who came and supported me, especially at the State meet.”

What about academically?

“I’m actually sitting in Biology right now, going for pre-dentistry,” Wilt said. “I just had an interview Tuesday to get into the Human Health Sciences major, which has a pre-dentistry track with it, instead of taking all Biology classes to get an interview for dental school. This will gear me more toward (dental school).”

Wilt has always had an interest in the sciences.

“Physiology, health, all the science classes,” Wilt said. “I was always interested in those. That’s what I excelled in, too.”

Wilt is the third student-athlete from Miami Trace to win a State championship; the first to do so in track and field.

Jason Matson won a State wrestling championship in 1991 and Travis McIntosh won a State wrestling championship in 2011.

It is believed that Wilt is the first student-athlete from Miami Trace to get a scholarship for track at a Division I school.

“It’s unique to find an athlete who is passionate about track and field,” Miami Trace head track coach Brent Noes said. “Most athletes use track and field to enhance their other sports. For Caleb to be so passionate about it and to put so much work into it is really neat.

“He made his family and the whole Miami Trace community proud,” Noes said. “This is very exciting for him. We think the University of Kentucky is very lucky to have the calibre of athlete who is that dedicated and that hard-working who wants to continue his career with them.”

What about preparing for the next level?

“When he gets down there, he will be on an even more strict regimen,” Noes said. “His workouts will be even more specifically tailored for what he’s going to be competing in at that level. They’re going to get him ready for the SEC (Southeastern Conference) competition. That’s exciting.”

Wilt will move in at the University of Kentucky on Aug. 21.

Practice begins Sept. 7.

Wilt will compete in indoor track begining the second week of December.

Caleb Wilt, seated, above, recently signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Kentucky, where he will run the high hurdles for the Wildcats. Wilt is flanked by his parents, Chip and Kim and joined by high school coach Brent Noes (standing at left) and trainer, Pat Woods.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2015/07/web1_Caleb-Wilt-with-parents-at-signing.jpgCaleb Wilt, seated, above, recently signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Kentucky, where he will run the high hurdles for the Wildcats. Wilt is flanked by his parents, Chip and Kim and joined by high school coach Brent Noes (standing at left) and trainer, Pat Woods. Chris Hoppes | Record-Herald photo

Caleb Wilt will be attending the University of Kentucky where he will run hurdles for the Wildcats.
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2015/07/web1_Caleb-Wilt-signs-with-Kentucky-mug-pic1.jpgCaleb Wilt will be attending the University of Kentucky where he will run hurdles for the Wildcats. Chris Hoppes | Record-Herald photo
MT grad to run hurdles for Wildcats

No posts to display