University of Connecticut Athletics
Athlete Spotlight: Craig Hunter
7/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field
STORRS, Conn. - After setting the program pole vault record for the second consecutive season, UConn men's track and field rising senior Craig Hunter (Robbinsville, N.J.) has cemented his success as he enters his third year of eligibility as a Husky.
"Craig is a great student, a great athlete, but more importantly, he has great character and work ethic," UConn head coach Greg Roy said, "he is a 'do what it takes' kind of an athlete and person. He is as level headed as they come and his humility is striking. As he enters his last two years, he is our poster boy for hard work and competitiveness."
In order for Craig to stay on campus and train during the summer, he works for the Maintenance Department painting dorm rooms, where he has become a supervisor.
"I was coming in to work just three days after Craig had gotten back from NCAA's, and saw him driving a UConn van full of students all dressed alike in paint splattered clothes. It struck me, this is the essence of Craig Hunter, and in many cases epitomizes our program," Roy said.
The two-time First Team All-American topped his previous record with a personal-best 17' 10.5'' (5.45m) performance and fourth place finish at the 2016 NCAA Championship at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. Hunter had set the previous program record there one year prior, as a sophomore, after he notched a 17' 8.5'' (5.40m) leap at the 2015 National Championship.
Coming off a successful sophomore season, with a school record and All-American nod under his belt, Hunter only basked in his success momentarily before setting bigger goals for the future.
"I set high standards for myself, which is both good and bad because it means I am always looking to do my best but also can be easily disappointed if I don't do everything I want to," Hunter said, "Last year after my eighth place performance at NCAAs, I was using my phone to write my list of goals for this season just a day or two after the meet. My constant drive for bigger and better is what pushes me to higher heights."
The Robbinsville, N.J. native has been training and competing in pole vault for seven years after he learned to vault at a track camp in southern New Jersey surrounded by coaches and clinicians who excelled in the field.
"Hearing about their careers and achievements made me want to get to that level, and by simply loving the sport and investing myself in the amazing community it offers I was able to grow into the vaulter I am today." Hunter said.
A computer science major at UConn, Hunter has created an impressive student-athlete resume in just three short seasons. As a freshman, he took third at the indoor conference championships and fourth in the outdoor. He also took home first place for the Huskies at the 2014 New England Outdoor Championship, pole vaulting an impressive 17' 4.5'' (5.30m).
Hunter's achievements and accolades only went up from there. As a sophomore, he captured fourth-place in the pole vault at the indoor American Championships and took first at the IC4A Championship. Hunter went on to claim his first All-American honor following the outdoor season with a record setting leap at the NCAA Championships.
"Once Craig puts his mind into something there is nothing that will get in his way," said UConn associate head coach Rich Miller, "his day to day work ethic and attention to detail are second to none. He is always looking for ways to push his limits and explore new areas of his technique."
After redshirting the 2016 indoor season to focus on his training, Hunter went on to claim back-to-back All-American accolades and program record heights. Hunter foreshadows the upcoming season as being no different and he will continue to set his sights on bigger, higher achievements.
"Being a two-time All-American is an incredible feeling which affirms the hard work I've put into this sport have paid off, but that elation of hard work paying off makes me want to work harder and shoot for even higher goals in the future," said Hunter.
"Craig's attitude and focus are going to be key to his transition into his final two years," Miller said, "both of our goals are nothing short of winning a national championship. I know that we both push each other to get the most out of each day. In the end he has already become one of the best NCAA competitors in our program's history. I can't wait to see him make the most of his opportunities next season."
Check back with uconnhuskies.com throughout the summer months for updates on the team during the offseason.
Players Mentioned
