Hunter McGuiness

Austin Bolinger
Sports Editor

When a person thinks about senior Hunter McGuiness, they usually think of the silent man that nobody can ever get more than a couple words out of, but to his coaches he is the “quiet leader,” “devoted athlete” and “great role model.” He might look like a twenty-five year old MMA fighter that wouldn’t have a second thought about teaching some kid a lesson. Then there is the low scruff voice that is barely audible above the white noise of everybody else. “Hello” and “Thank you” is about as much most people get out of him. Hunter is an amazing athlete and he is in the top of all three of the sports he plays. Baseball coach, Mr. Hamilton, said, “He is able to do anything in the world for you.” Hunter is the type of man not to brag about himself when others are around; he is respectful and loves his sports. He is also a very good student, “I don’t like seeing bad grades on my report card,” said Hunter. He is of the elite, he is the Iron Man (strongest man pound for pound) on the football team, qualified for state in wrestling in 2009, and made second team all league in football for the Central Metro League.
To Coach Hamilton he is the definition of tough, “It’s not just the bumps and bruises, he pushes through all that, it’s how he is a role model for all the other kids and how he is always there and always does what he is told. He keeps his grades up and it’s easy.” Hunter is a person that doesn’t believe in wasting time, if it has to be done he finds the time. “I always find time to do what I need to do,” said Hunter. He might be a man of few words, but those words are rarely wasted. He is a man of action that gets things done without question. “He is everything I look for in a catcher,” said Coach Hamilton, “We really have benefited from him being in our program because he is that leader type that every team needs.” He walks around with his head held high because he knows that can no matter what. There is no challenge that he can’t meet, no barrier he can’t get over or go through, no person that can bring him down. “I have really enjoyed being with him for all these years,” said Coach Hamilton.
“ This kid had a great attitude and work ethic,” said wrestling Coach Corby, “ he is the kind of kid that I can set off and not have to worry about him because he takes care of his grades and doesn’t get in fights and do anything to jeopardize his chances of anything.” Hunter’s wrestling 2009 wrestling lead him to placing third in regionals and wrestling at state. He works very hard for the things that he wants. He has the fastest pin record for two years running at twenty two seconds and he is the strongest man on the team pound for pound. “One thing I regret is, and realizing it too late, was that he has untamed aggression which I tried to control,” said Coach Corby, “wrestling is a sport that needs that raw aggression and I shouldn’t have tried to control it. I should have let it loose on the opponent.” As one can see from what has been said, Hunter isn’t just a passive warrior, he wakes to the occasion. “He is a consummate athlete,” Coach Corby said, “he is perfect for the sport of wrestling. He is fast, strong, has a good sense of balance and he loves the fight to the end.”
Coach Gonzales has also had the pleasure of being part of Hunter’s life. “I might have to share him with the other coaches, but he is the top in all that he does,” said Coach Gonzales. Hunter is the strongest kid in the football program and that is saying a lot as most kids that are in the program –have been lifting for four years with him. “I have had the pleasure of watching Hunter grow and mature over the four years that we have had him in our program,” said Coach Gonzales. This last football season Hunter received recognition for second team all conference as linebacker. He was accompanied by some of his other team mates. He ended his season with a staggering eighty tackles and nobody knows how many kids he sent off the field with injuries. “It’s like hitting a brick wall and bouncing off then being ran over by a cement roller,” said junior Nick Van Der Line. Hunter doesn’t talk stuff; he leaves it on the field with the turf in the other guy’s mouth.
“I do sports so I can stay in shape and I love them. Can’t just sit on the coach and play videogames all day,” said Hunter, “have to keep this god-like body somehow.” Hunter is a man of his word, he likes to lift and exercise to keep in shape so he can feel good. There isn’t much that Hunter can’t do, he is an elitist when it comes to sports and he can handle himself when he walks into the classroom. Hunter is a good man and is thinking on pursuing baseball in college. The few words that he summed up to be the words he lives by and some people should consider are, “Live Before You Die.”