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Washington’s recent success on the track has drawn attention from some colleges. Last week, senior track star Michael Reid decided to take his talents to Wingate University, located in the suburbs of Charlotte.

Reid was a state qualifier, and won the 2-A Eastern Carolina Conference last year in multiple events. With his senior season cut short, Reid said he wasn’t sure if his aspirations to run collegiately would be met, until Wingate extended an opportunity.

“I was most definitely worried (about the effect of not having a senior season),” Reid said. “Although I had really good times during my junior track season, nobody knew who I was, and I wasn’t being recruited. I was hoping to use my senior season to improve my times and get the colleges to notice me. In the end, I still wasn’t recruited but, thankfully, a couple of schools had a walk-on spot for me, and Wingate is the school I chose.”

Reid said he was happy to have his college decision put in the rear view mirror.

“I was relieved to finally make a decision, but this was a very long and stressful process for me due to the fact I wasn’t recruited,” Reid said. “The most exciting thing about running track in college for me is getting to continue this chapter in my life that ended abruptly. All of us senior athletes in high school had our last spring season take away from us and weren’t able to end things on our own terms. Another thing I’m excited for is getting to compete at a high level with great talent. I know these college athletes and coaches are going to bring my skills to the next level.”

Head track coach Perry Owens had nothing but good things to say about Reid as a person and an athlete.

“I think he’s one of the best young kids I’ve ever met. He’s a leader in every sense of the word. He’s a great soccer player, a great teammate; he’s a kid that has dominated the conference. He’s a three-time conference champion in the 110-meter and a two-time conference champion in the 300-meter hurdles,” Owens said. “I’m excited. I think he’s going to go there and be successful. I think he’ll be a scholarship runner for them in the future, that’s for sure.”

Owens shared his favorite memory of Reid during his Pam Pack running career.

“We were running for the conference championship here at Washington a year ago. Mike had dominated the conference in the 110. A kid from Kinston beat him in the 300-meter hurdles before spring break. So we had two weeks before that conference championship meet, and I’m telling Mikey, ‘Michael Jordan doesn’t let anybody beat him. He doesn’t let anybody take him to Game 7. Are you going to let this kid come in here and beat you on your home track?’” Owens said. “Mike smoked him in the 110, turned around and smoked him in the 300, too. That’s the best memory.”

Reid’s favorite memory of his high school career was on the soccer field.

“Without a doubt, my entire senior soccer season was my favorite memory. That was the most fun I’ve ever had in a season. That was also the best team I’ve ever been a part of. We were really good, and there were always great vibes; no drama, whatsoever,” Reid said. “We always put on a show whether it was home or away. We always showed out. That was a true brotherhood and still is. We could have made more noise in the playoffs if it wasn’t for some unforeseen circumstances. Our season didn’t end how we wanted it to, but if I could have one more season with that team, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. I know the rest of the seniors would, too.”