DLN ALL-AREA: Unionville’s Walker runs straight to the top in impressive junior season

When Unionville needs someone to run the distance events, on or off track, they need not look any further than junior Cole Walker. 

Walker led the Indians’ cross country team to a second place finish at Districts, and a sixth-place finish at the state meet, while picking up individual titles as the Ches-Mont champion and District 1 champ. 

You can add 2018 Daily Local News Boys Cross-Country Runner of the Year to the list. 

“Getting to celebrate with my team following the district championship is something I will never forget,” said Walker.

Walker, now 16, started running way when he was just 9 years old. 

“I originally started running in 3rd grade,” said Walker. “I started through the YMCA Stride program at my elementary school.” 

But while running was fun back then, it wasn’t until Walker started competing on his Patton Middle School team that he began to realize he just might have a future in the sport. 

“I started taking running seriously in 8th grade after I won the middle school Ches-Mont championship for cross country,” said Walker.  “And I started working hard to improve my times.” 

Walker is a runner through and through, running indoor track in the winter, and outdoor in the spring, focusing on the 1,600 and 3,200 meters while on the track. His personal bests are 15:34.5 in the 5K cross country events, while boasting a 9:29 in the 3,200 and a 4:27 in the 1,600 meters.

Though Walker has not yet begun the process of college selection, he hopes to continue his athletic career, as well as his academics, at the next level. 

“I haven’t started going through the college process yet, but I’m planning to start soon,” said Walker. “But it is my hope that I will get a chance to run for a Division I college program.”

Walker lives with his parents, mom Tiffany Varghese, and dad Jae Walker. 

“But I am on my own when it comes to running,” said Walker. “Neither of my parents is a runner.”