Fayetteville’s Bourke to run with the Razorbacks

BY JOE WEST Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Thursday, May 1, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/nwat/64718/

Just like Wallace Spearmon Jr. before him, Hunter Bourke is making the jump from Fayetteville High School to run track for the Arkansas Razorbacks, even if jumping is not what he does best.

A runner by trade, Bourke competed in the long jump for the first time this season at the John McDonnell Invitational on Feb. 18. He won the event with a leap of 21-9 3 / 4.

The fleet-footed Bulldog winning the long jump was a testament to his wide range of abilities on the track. That versatility will make Bourke very valuable to the Hogs, FHS track coach Drew Yoakum said.

“ It’s been hard for me to find one point of interest to leave him in, ” Yoakum said. “ I think that’s going to be good for the U of A because they’re going to have some choices as to where to use him. He could be a decathlete for them, run the 400 or 400 hurdles.

“ His versatility and hard work are what the UA’s going to enjoy having. ”

When Arkansas comes calling a track athlete, he rarely says no. The choice to join the Razorbacks was a no-brainer for Bourke.

“ Why would I go anywhere else when I have the best team in the country in my backyard ? ” Bourke said.

Bourke is disappointed that he won’t get the privilege of learning under longtime Arkansas track coach John McDonnell, who recently announced he will be retiring at the end of this outdoor season.

But the legendary coach was involved in Bourke’s recruitment. In fact, McDonnell himself made the final call to offer a scholarship, Bourke said.

“ They have a bunch of other coaches under [McDonnell ] that are also really good, ” he said. “ And they have the best staff and facilities around. ”

The Hogs may use Bourke in the decathlon or relays. His best race is the 400-meter run, and he’s currently top in the state in that event.

Bourke, who ran some cross country in the fall to stay in shape, set a personal record of 49. 25 in the 400 at the state indoor meet back in February.

“ I think that’s the event he really likes, ” Yoakum said.

Bourke’s work at Fayetteville High is not done. He still has a chip on his shoulder in the form of a state championship. Since his sophomore year, Bourke has been a state runner-up four times.

“ Hopefully, this year we’re going to change ‘ runner-up’ to ‘ state champion, ’” Yoakum told the crowd assembled in Fayetteville High’s Bulldog Fieldhouse on Wednesday to celebrate Bourke’s signing.

Hunter’s parents Pat and Lisa and his sister Megan were on hand for Wednesday’s festivities. Amongst the gathering of well-wishers, Bourke still couldn’t believe his dream of running for a program that sports 42 national championships is coming true.

“ It hasn’t hit me yet, ” Bourke said. “ Hopefully it will next year when I start running. ”

“ He’s a kid you can build a program around, ” Yoakum said. “ He’s going to be here and work hard, and he’s going to do what it takes in school. You know he’s going to do well and you don’t have to worry about him. ”