Written and Media by Mitchell Hooten.
Some athletes never get to truly fulfill their hidden athletic abilities in life. It can happen to any athlete in any sport that is played in the world today. This is especially true for Matt Hughes, who didn’t find his true talent in his track and field career… That is, until he discovered the decathlon this past season.
Hughes is a senior on the Greenville Track and Field Team and has been a flexible athlete for the team, from doing the high jump to being able to fill in for the sprinters if need be. Many can tell how big an asset Hughes is, especially this last season in doing the multi-events for the track and field team. Hughes is also one of the senior leaders for the sprinters and jumpers, which has been a great experience from having other great seniors before him.
This being Hughes’ fourth year at Greenville; he has had many successes and failures in his time on the track and field team. His success on the track has included qualifying in the high jump for Christian Nationals every indoor and outdoor season in his last three seasons. Hughes is very consistent at making it to championships. His most successful moment is most likely placing fourth in the decathlon at the 2017 Outdoor Christian Nationals Track and Field Championships. This meet was only his second time competing in the full decathlon event. Hughes’ so-called failures in his career have ranged from not being able to help the team when they needed the points to place high in a meet to not performing well in an event where he could have placed high in the event. Through all of this Hughes has always been an important asset to the track and field team.
In Hughes’ time at Greenville, he has been thought of as a great teammate and a hard worker by his teammates. Hughes’ friends on the track and field team think he’s a great friend and they can always have fun when Hughes is around. Two of them are Tyler Kimes and David Martin, both of whom have been Hughes’ teammates for three years now. They have become quite good friends with Hughes. Martin especially has become good friends with Hughes, with them both doing the decathlon. They spend quality time together during the season, training and practicing together to be the best. Martin says “Matt is one stellar dude. He puts in the work and we see the results. He doesn’t expect anyone to do something he wouldn’t do and besides being a model athlete, he is a model person. Matt would help would help his teammate if they needed help that’s the kind of guy he is. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him and wish him luck in his senior year and beyond.” Kimes has become good friends with Hughes with being his roommate, training with him and hanging out with Matt. Kimes mentioned that”Matt is a dedicated hard working person who has a great work ethic. He’s a tremendous friend who is very easy going and a blast to be around.”
Martin especially has become good friends with Hughes, with them both doing the decathlon. They spend quality time together during the season, training and practicing together to be the best. Martin says “Matt is one stellar dude. He puts in the work and we see the results. He doesn’t expect anyone to do something he wouldn’t do, and besides being a model athlete, he is a model person. Matt would help his teammate if they needed help; that’s the kind of guy he is. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him and wish him luck in his senior year and beyond.” Kimes has become good friends with Hughes with being his roommate, training with him and hanging out with Matt. Kimes mentioned that”Matt is a dedicated hard working person who has a great work ethic. He’s a tremendous friend who is very easy going and a blast to be around.”
Kimes has become good friends with Hughes by being his roommate, training with him and just hanging out. Kimes mentioned that “Matt is a dedicated, hard-working person, who ha a great work ethic. He’s a tremendous friend who is very easy-going and a blast to be around.”
Look out for the Panther Track Team and listen to the following interview for more info about Matt Hughes!
