By Chris Cox

At 6 feet 6 inches tall Isaiah Willis isn’t built like a typical sprinter. But the Shawnee High School senior is not just one of the fastest sprinters at his school, he’s one of the fastest sprinters in the area.

Willis says his personal goal this year is to get his 100 meter time down to 10.5 seconds or better. He current personal best 10.6 seconds, so he knows that goal is in reach.

“If I keep putting effort into it, I know I can do it,” he says. “I just have to get my start better. I need to get out of the blocks better and stay lower at first.”

Willis admits that his height and foot size make starts difficult, but he also knows that a good start will be key for him moving forward. 

Along with the 100 meter race, Willis also competes in the 200 meter race, the long jump, and is a part of the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relay teams. As a senior competing in multiple events, Willis knows his teammates are looking at him for leadership.

“It’s about your attitude,” Willis says. “Character is usually associated with how people see you. So, if your teammates see as you someone they can look up to that will push them to do better in their individual events.”

Outside of track, Willis also starred on the Shawnee High School basketball team that qualified for the state tournament the past two seasons. In fact, Willis set the school record for field goal percentage last season at 65.6% and is leaving Shawnee with the highest career field goal percentage in school history at 59.6%.

Following graduation this May, Willis knows he’s going to attend college, but he is undecided on where he is going. Willis currently has a few offers he is weighing. Both Oklahoma Baptist and Pittsburg State would like Willis to be a part of their track teams while Langston University has offered Willis a basketball scholarship.