Throughout an athlete’s career, they can have any number of people that become a part of their life and make an impact on them. Some of these individuals could be part of their life for a short period of time, while others could be there for much longer. Riley Hunter has had some people that have really had an influence on his life, but he says that there is one that has been a role model for him.
“My grandpa, Ken Gray, or as he is known by most people as Coach Gray, has been the biggest influence on my life,” he said. “He has no quit in him and he has always been by my side cheering me on and encouraging me to do my best.”
Riley attends Duncan High School where he is a senior and a member of the wrestling and track teams. He wrestles at 132-pounds, while on the track team he is a pole vaulter. Competing in the pole vault is fairly new to Hunter as he began that in the seventh grade, but he has been wrestling since he was a first grader.
Hunter has put in a lot to become the athlete that he is, but he has also seen that hard work pay off.
“It has taken a lot of grit and practice in order for me to be at the level I am at with my sports,” he said. “Probably the highlight of my career would have to be when I was able to vault 14 feet for the first time. While it was in practice, it was still awesome to be able to do that.”
Riley says there is another person that has had an impact on his life and has influenced him more as a person than an athlete.
“Dr. C at Cameron University is my favorite professor,” he said. “He taught me that you do not always need to be perfect to be a good person.”
