Edgar DeLaGarza/TAMUCC
Junior Yashawn Hamilton has been competing in track and field since he was a freshman in 2019. He has competed in indoor and outdoor track. In 2021 he won the Western Athletic Conference championship and earned All-WAC First Team honors—the fourth fastest in program history. In the same year, he also earned the All-WAC Second Team honors.
Q: When did you start track and field?
A: “I started track and field when I was about 5 years old, and the reason why I started track and field is mainly because [of] my dad. So, basically, I’m following in my dad’s footsteps. My dad was a student [and played in leagues] over here as well. He came from Jamaica and came here. So, basically, I’m following in my dad’s footsteps, but he played soccer.”
Q: What has been your favorite place to travel with the team?
A: “I would say my favorite place to travel with the team is Idaho … because of the scenery with the mountains and the snow.”
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: “I am most proud of myself … mainly because of where I’m coming from. The type of person I am now, you know, because if I look at myself two years [or] five years back, I wouldn’t have seen myself here, but I’m very happy that I’m here now.”
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat?
A: “It’s not a very great place for an athlete, but my favorite place is Whataburger.”
Q: If you could have any job in the world, regardless of pay, what would it be?
A: “My dream job is to be a doctor. I would like to be a doctor because I love to help people.”
Q: What do you think is the most important part of being an athlete?
A: “The most important part of being an athlete is what you do on the outside. You can do so much at practice, and what you do on the outside is the most important, but if you don’t go home [and] take care of yourself [and] get rest as our coach tells us … everything that you do in practice will be down the drain.”
–Compiled by Landon Burns
