Talon Hamm, a sophomore who believes he has what it takes to break a school record in the 800-meter race by the end of his high school career.

Focusing on track, he has many goals like running low 1:50’s in the 800 meter and breaking 50 in the 400 meter dash. Chasing a school record in his main event, the 800. At the moment, the record is held by Derrick Iannamorelli with a time of 1:53.96 in 2001, Talon is currently running 2:00.

“I want to be able to break the school record,” Hamm said.

Growing up in a household centered around athletics, he was introduced to sports at a younger age as both parents coached.

“I got into sports because I had an athletic family,” he said. “Both my parents were coaches so I was always around it.”

Originally, track wasn’t his main sport; growing up playing soccer, that was his one dream. Talon joined track in seventh grade, leading to him choosing that as his main goal.

“I started track to get better in other sports,” he said. “But I stuck with it because I was good and enjoyed it.”

His motivation in the sport is strongly helped by the people around him; athletic friends and family help push him to be more competitive.

“Having friends and family that are all athletic pushes me to be better,’ Hamm said. “I know I have talent, and I don’t want to waste it or take it for granted.”

Looking at his future, he hopes to run at the collegiate level. His goal is to compete at a Division 1 program, ideally in a setting that fits a certain preference.

“I want to run at a D1 college out in the country or the mountains,” Hamm said.

One person he looks after the most is his mom, Brandy who had her own successes in track and field with being able to compete at Penn Relays, one of the greatest mid-season meets for high school athletes in the country.

“She was able to compete at a high level, and that’s something I want to,” Hamm said.

With clear goals and strong support behind him, he hopes to break school records and have a successful future in running.