Flynn continues running career

After a successful running career at Whitehall High School, 2017 graduate Hunter Flynn has continued to shine during the first two years of his collegiate career at Dickinson State University in North Dakota.

Flynn is a member of the cross country team where he competes in the 8,000 meter race, two miles more than the three miles he ran as part of the Trojans cross country team. In the December to February Indoor Track season, Flynn competes in the 3,000 meter, 5,000 meter and as part of the 4x800 meter relay team. In outdoor track, he competes in the 1,600, 5,000, and 3,000 meter steeplechase.

During his freshman campaign, Flynn placed in the top five for the Blue Hawks throughout the season. He placed 11th in 8,000 meters at the Conference Championships with a time of 26:27. This earned him a spot at the NAIA National Cross Country Meet where his team placed 31 out of 36 teams.

While Flynn said he struggled to adjust to the new environment of indoor track and battling some knee injuries, he said he turned around his season by the end of the year.

He had a first place finish in the conference meet in South Dakota as part of the 4x800 relay team, and finished 11th in the 3,000 meter ace with a time of 9:45.

Flynn said in the outdoor season he mostly ran the 5,000 and 3,000 steeplechase, but also got the chance to run the 1,500 meters which he said was awesome.

"I loved running the mile in high school so I felt right at home," he said.

Flynn ran a 4:22 in the 1,500 at the MSU Billings meet.

He also found a new passion by competing in the steeplechase.

"After running the steeplechase for the first time at the beginning of track season I knew that it was going to be my favorite event. The race consists of 7.5 laps with four barriers and one water jump per lap. At the conference meet I placed third earning all-conference honors," he said.

After a successful freshman year, Flynn had a setback prior to his sophomore year when he fractured his ankle in early August.

"I got a late start to my cross country season and had a few setbacks throughout the season. But I managed to bounce back quickly and still managed to pull off a successful season. I placed 11th (again) at the conference meet in LaCrosse Wisconsin, and the team finished second, meaning we did not qualify for the national meet this year," he said. " Right now I'm taking a little time off to let my body rest and recover and in a few weeks I'll start training for the indoor track season"

A multi-sport star at Whitehall High School, Flynn believes the biggest difference between high school and college running is the commitment level. He said college requires a lot more time and effort to be put into running, weight lifting, and recovery work.

Flynn spend 3-4 hours with my teammates and coach every single day working to get better and stronger, which he absolutely loves.

"My teammates have become my brothers and sisters and we've developed bonds that will last forever. When you workout with the same group of guys three hours a day, everyday for six months, you get pretty close to them. Running has become a career for me and I get to constantly make myself a better athlete each and every day, he said.

During his freshman campaign, Flynn put trust in his teammates and coaches to put him in a situation where he could succeed.

"So I ran on a lot of faith last year because I didn't know a whole lot, and I took advantage of the opportunities to learn from my older teammates and I gained a lot of knowledge and experience that will help me throughout my college career," he said." This year I have felt a lot more confident in my knowledge and abilities, and I know that I can improve all of my times in track with the tricks and skills I've learned. "

Looking towards the future, his goal is to be a leader on the team, even if he isn't the fastest member.

"I want to be able to me a mentor to the younger runners and push them to be the best that they can. Personally I want to go to nationals in indoor and outdoor track. My goals include breaking four minutes in the 1500, breaking nine minutes in the open 3000, breaking 9:15 in the steeplechase, running 15:15 in the 5000, and running 25:30 in the 8000," Flynn said.

The son of Jon and Kim Flynn, Hunter also wanted to thank the community of Whitehall and all the people that have supported him throughout the years.

I want to give a special shout out to Mr. Sacry (Kerry), Julie K (Kieckbusch), and my old teammates back in Whitehall for shaping me into the runner I am today," he said.