High school boys track player of the year

Cameron Murray, 2017 boys track athlete of the year (Photo courtesy of Nydia Murray)

Cameron Murray, 2017 boys track athlete of the year (Photo courtesy of Nydia Murray)

Boys track player of the year

Cameron Murray, Westlake

Achievements: Class AAAAAAA state champion and overall Georgia leader in the long jump (24-feet, 5 1/2 inches) and 110-meter hurdles (13.84 seconds), Class AAAAAAA runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles, led team to the Class AAAAAAA state championship; competing in Cuba for USA Team Juniors.

Position: Hurdler/jumper

Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 145 pounds

Class: Junior

College choices: Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Clemson, Auburn

Why those five: (UGA, Tennessee, Florida and Auburn) are all in the SEC, the best conference in the country. Clemson is close to home, and they have a great program.

Best high school moment: Winning the boys and girls state championship with my teammates.

Why track and field: It shows what hard work and determination will do, and I feel free when I'm on the track doing my events.

What you'd like to be doing in 10 years: Going to the Olympics or being a sports analyst for ESPN.

Favorite high school course: Math, because I'm good with numbers, and I catch on to concepts fast.

People who helped along the way: My mom (Nydia Murray) and my grandparents (Marvin and Carrie Murray) and my uncle (Marcell Murray) and my coaches (Robert Wilson, Westlake; and Johnathan Middlebrooks, Derek Harper and Devin Jones, Quicksilver Track Club).

Toughest high school opponent: My teammate Rainey Anderson because we push each other every day to be great."

Favorite movie: "Suicide Squad"

Favorite song: "Melodies from heaven" by Kirk Franklin

Worst high school moment: My freshman year my hip came out of place while I was running the (400-meter relay). It took a year to get back to full strength, but it's completely healthy now.

If you could be any other athlete on earth: Jesse Owens — because he made history and he set a high standard for all track athletes.

Money or happiness: Happiness. Money does not always bring you happiness, and it can actually bring problems. You can never go wrong with happiness.

Best word to describe yourself: Animated. I'm a character and a comedian. I like to make people smile.

View of the world at the moment: At times, I think it could be worse than it is. I think education is the key for everyone because I think it can help us all change things for the better.

What you would put in a time capsule: My (track) spikes, videos and pictures of me competing … and books I've read.