Tim Leonard, Wilkes-Barre Area, track and field – Wilkes-Barre Citizens’ Voice

Wilkes-Barre Area junior Tim Leonard picked up two individual gold medals at the Wyoming Valley Conference championships. Leonard ran a 10.60 in the 100, and followed it with a 22-second 200, edging out teammate Kevon Creech at the line. He was also part of the winning 4×100 relay team.

Walk me through the Wyoming Valley Conference championships. How did you feel going into the meet: First of all, I want to thank God and my teammates — Kevon (Creech), Jaziah (McCoy), and Juvell (Williams) — because they push me all the time. I came in ready, and having Kevon in the 200 really helped me out. It was really real hard because he was pushing me. I was just ready for the meet and ready to execute.

What was the 100 like? A 10.60 is a really strong time. You had to be proud of your run: Anything is possible when you are being coached by Coach (Paul) McGrane. He had me ready for it. Even at the ESU meet when I ran almost the same time, I was ready right from the jump. He told that I had to run hard right until the end, and that’s what I did.

What’s it like to be on a team with so much speed on it: It helps you all the time. To be honest, practice is really competitive at times, especially with my teammates. They make it really competitive.

Is it good to have that type of competition every day at practice: It pushes you. It wouldn’t be as much fun if I was running by myself all the time. Knowing that they are behind me, and I can hear their footsteps behind me, it pushes me that much harder.

How are you feeling going into districts: I’m not too nervous. I’m just calm, ready to execute, and ready to race. The times will show later. I am just ready to run.

Year: Junior.

Age: 17.

Hometown: Wilkes-Barre.

Hobbies outside of school: I like to run track. I play some instruments, and I also like to read The Bible.

When did you start to run track: Eighth grade. Deep down, I always felt like I was quick. I just wanted to prove to David Jannuzzi that I was faster than him and I came to track. I just tried to stay on to beat him and the people who were faster than me.

How would you describe yourself: Kind. I try to be as kind and humble as possible.

Favorite food: Pasta.

Favorite school subject: Gym.

Your team is coming over for dinner, and you are the chef: What are you making them: Pasta.

Favorite TV show: Invincible.

Favorite restaurant: McDonalds

What kind of superpower would you pick: Superspeed.

Any rituals before you race: I take time to pray a little bit, and I try to be humble. I don’t like to talk a lot when I am about to race. I like to focus on the lane because sprinting is a lot. It’s a short distance, so you have to execute perfectly. I focus on what I am about to do.

Role models: Brayden Dashun Williams: He’s just so fast. I was able to meet him personally. He’s the one person who I look up to.

Future plans: Tim would either like to go to college and continue with his track and field career or enter a trade school.