From tennis to basketball to track and field, start athlete Hamza Malik has covered it all.
The Jericho High School senior decided to switch spring sports from Varsity Tennis to Varsity Track and Field. The switch revealed Hamza’s hidden talent for running. In the spring season, Hamza has racked up the accomplishments, placing 1st in Nassau County Class AA 400 hurdles, 1st in Conference 2B 400 hurdles, 3rd in Conference 2B 4x400 relay team and 3rd in Conference 2B 110 hurdles.
When describing his thoughts coming into the season, Hamza states “I didn’t have any high expectations in terms of rankings or winning any meets. The track was always something that I felt would help me in leading a healthier lifestyle in terms of fitness, diet, and consistency in working out for the future. I actually expected to either run the 100 meter or the Long Jump when I first came in, but I ended up doing hurdles because the workouts were just more enjoyable for me. It turns out hurdles was the best choice for me because I am performing.”
Although running his first year as a senior, Hamza doesn't use that as an excuse. Jericho Track hurdling Coach Sledge says:
“Hamza is a very dedicated athlete he’ll look up times for the athletes he will compete against in the next meet and he'll ask me about their splits and runs. He’s a little too intense. He constantly works hard to fix the little things with his form, and I give him credit because he’s gotten better every meet. ”
When weighing in on Hamza as a student-athlete, Jericho Boy’s Track Coach Lahti said “He always works his hardest and sets an example for all athletes, especially the underclassmen. He’s always motivating them and making sure they give it their all. He’s overall just a great athlete. He’s hardworking, diligent, and persistent. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
The George Washington University commit has goals to run track in college, despite his late start. He plans to train with Coach Sledge and compete in meets over the summer. He hopes his sudden success in high school track transfers to the collegiate level.
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