Haverford School runner Daiyaan Hawkins is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
Daiyaan Hawkins, a junior, has clocked 6.45 in the 55-meter dash (ranks first in Pennsylvania) and his times of 6.92 in the 60-meter dash and 21.84 in the 200-meter run both rank second in Pennsylvania. He also was part of the Fords 4×200 meter relay that finished fourth at the Millrose Games in February. A fine all-around athlete, he was a second team All-Inter-Ac cornerback for the Fords’ football team last fall. Hawkins also is a member of Haverford’s Black Student Union.
Q: What in your opinion has been your best race this winter, and what was working particularly well for you that day?
A: In my opinion my best race this winter was my 200 meter run at States. What was working well was my start and level of comfort, I was just very relaxed that day and had nothing weighing me down.
Q: What has been the most important thing you have learned in indoor track this winter?
A: The most important things I have learned during indoor track this year was that your start can either win or lose you the race. In the short distance races I run, your start is the beginning and end of your race. If my start is bad, I am not going to be in the race. If my start is good, that puts me in a good place to win the race.
Q: What aspect of your running are you working on most recently?
A: Recently, I have been working mainly on the finish of my races. I am strong and calm throughout my 200 race, but come that last 30 meters, I tense up. So my coach has me doing workouts that will help me with the finish of my race.
Q: Briefly describe for us your pre-race preparation (physical, mental) on the day of a race.
A: My pre-race preparation is the same for every race and every meet. I jog around for at least eight minutes to get my body warmed up and break a sweat. Then I do partner stretching and regular static stretching before I do my drills, then a good 10 minutes working on starts and fast stride outs. Mentally I just take deep breaths throughout and clear my mind and focus on the task at hand.
Q: Tell us a little about your running shoes, the type of shoe you favor and why.
A: I favor Under Armor running shoes – they provide a cushion to the bottom of my feet and I run well in them.
Q: What would you like to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: I would like to major in exercise science or biology, because if sports is not an option for me, I want to be in the physical therapy field of work.
Fun facts – Daiyaan Hawkins
Favorite book: Of Mice and Men.
Favorite TV show: Power.
Favorite movie: Ready Player One.
Favorite athlete: Jalen Ramsey.
Favorite pre-race pump-up song: Next Song by DaBaby.
Favorite team: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Favorite place to visit: California.
Favorite pre-race meal: Fettuccine chicken alfredo.
Person I most admire: “My late grandfather, because he always supported me and knew I had a special talent, so I wanna succeed and do great for him.”
Family members: parents James and Takiyah, brothers Zakee, AJ, James, Justin, sister Alana.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
