Haverford School’s Kevin Thomas is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
The sophomore finished first in the 60 meter hurdles at the Pennsylvania Track & Field Coaches Association State Championships at Penn State University, defeating a field of juniors and seniors. Thomas became the first indoor track state title winner in Haverford School history. He currently ranks No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 4 in the United States in the 60-meter hurdles. In the spring, he runs track for Haverford School, and in the fall he plays football for the Fords.
Q: What is your most vivid memory of winning the 60-meter hurdles state title?
A: My most vivid memory of my performance was when I crossed the line and I heard the crowd gasp and when the time popped up on the board the whole complex started clapping for me and I couldn’t hold back my smile.
Q: What does it mean to you to win Haverford School’s first indoor track state title?
A: It means a lot to me because this was something I always wanted to achieve, and being Haverford’s first indoor state champion is a honor, knowing all of the great athletes that came through this program.
Q: What do you think has been the biggest key to your excellence in the 60-meter hurdles this season?
A: I would say the biggest key to my success was working hard in practice and staying relaxed before and during the race. Because if you work hard in practice it will pay off in the meets.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in indoor track – when did you first start competing in the 60 meter hurdles? Who have been your biggest mentors in indoor track, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: I actually just started running indoor track last year, I would usually play basketball in the winter. My biggest mentors during indoor track would be my coach Luqman Kolade and my trainer Deworski Odom. The most important thing that both of them taught me was to relax and trust my training during a race. Because hurdles is a very technical race and you run your best race when you’re relaxed.
Q: What is your favorite memory of Penn Relays?
A: My favorite memory would be winning the 4×100 relay in 8th grade.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation the day of a meet.
A: I usually eat a light breakfast so I won’t have too much on my stomach before my race. Then after I get dressed I’ll stretch for about 10 minutes then before I leave for the meet I’ll pray. Finally when I leave I’ll turn my music on and start to zone in.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Haverford School? What do you think you might like to major in at college?
A: My favorite academic course is English. I would like to major in engineering.
Fun facts – Kevin Thomas
Favorite book: The Giver.
Favorite author: Lois Lowry.
Favorite TV show: You.
Favorite movie: Rocky 5.
Favorite athlete: Carmelo Anthony.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite place to visit: Dubai.
Favorite pre-meet meal: Sausage, egg and cheese croissant.
Person I most admire, and why: “My mom, because she teaches me how to be strong during tough times.”
Family members: parents Kevin and Annette, sister Destinee, brother Tre.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Boys Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present, click here
