Senior Blake Hamilton is weeks away from graduating high school, and soon has to decide which of the colleges around the nation he wants to attend, considering multiple have given offers that are hard to refuse. For Hamilton, years of hard work, dedication, and record-breaking lap times in track have led him to this point, and the choice is not easy. 

Hamilton has been gaining popularity in the sports world in the recent months for his 19.90 lap time in a 200M and multiple track area meet wins, but track is not his only passion, nor the only sport he participates in. 

“I like football the most. I feel like it connects to me more,” Hamilton said. “I am going to miss Tompkins and the family aspect from the football team here.” 

College offers Hamilton a world of unexplored opportunities, especially in playing the sports he loves, including football and track, and forming a new relationship with his future teammates. Although, when he begins his college career, sports are not the only thing on the forefront of his mind. 

“I mean I want to go as far as God allows me to go. It would definitely be a true blessing to be able to go pro and do track or football forever, but I am there for a degree, so that is my main standpoint,” Hamilton said. 

Hamilton plans to major in Political Science, a degree which he hopes can be a step in becoming a sports agent, and eventually even a corporate lawyer. 

“I came up with this idea last year whenever my dad introduced me to one of his friends who does this too. So I got really interested in [law] last year,” Hamilton said. 

When it comes to the last few weeks of Hamilton’s high school experience, it has been a whirlwind of praise and rewards, and while for many this might seem intense, it is not for Hamilton. 

“It has not been overwhelming because I know if you want to be successful in life, then you have to be able to stay humble and this has to be normal in order for you to keep going. And I mean, it feels good to me because it feels like all the work that I have put in has finally come to fruition, and I am finally getting what I deserve, but I also know that I have to keep working because you have to never be satisfied,” Hamilton said. 

As Hamilton weighs the pros and cons of every college option he has, he does not have to stress as his preparation over the last few years have set him on the right road for a new era of his life.