Luke Irwin
Freshman middle distance runner, Luke Irwin from Uxbridge, Ontario is a leader in multiple events on the West Texas A&M track and field progression chart. Unlike many athletes at WT who started participating in their sports as children, Irwin didn’t begin competing in track and field until 10th grade at Uxbridge Secondary School.
“I started running track because my friend ran, and he invited me to come out and run on the team,” Irwin said. “I also joined because I ran cross-country in ninth grade, and my coach said that I should run track as well.”
Head track coach, Darren Flowers, recruited Irwin out of Uxbridge and onto the WT track team.
“I talked to the coach, and he sounded like a good guy,” Irwin said. “I liked the way he described the program, and I liked how track was new to the University. I thought the idea of being part of a new program would be fun.”
Irwin now runs the 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase and the 5000m for the WT men’s track team. Irwin holds the fastest time for WT in the 5000m with 15:15.07, set at the Tarleton Invite on March 11.
At the Tech Open on March 26, Irwin topped the charts in the 1500m with a time of 4:09.48 and the 2000m steeplechase with 6:33.77. Irwin clocked the fifth fastest time in the 800m with 1:58.76 during the McMurray relays on April 1, 2010. Along with running, Irwin also holds a fifth place position in javelin throw with a mark of 44.63.
“As an athlete, I would like to improve my running over the next four years,” Irwin said. “I hope to win the 3000m steeplechase at the national division level. I also hope that I can continue running when college is over.”
Even though he is over 1600 miles from home, it doesn’t affect Irwin on the track.
“I like the fact that I get to compete in a different part of the world,” Irwin said. “No one really knows who I am down here in Texas, so it’s nice going to meets with less pressure. It makes it easier to perform. I also really like my teammates. There are some really good people on the track team, and that makes going to practice and traveling a lot better.”
Irwin strives to compete at the national level every year in track and cross country.
“I think having a competitive nature is very important at this level,” Irwin said. “You really have to go for it if you want to do well in a race.”
The Buffalo track and field team will travel to Norman, Oklahoma to compete in the Sooner Open on April 24.