NEWBERRY — Newberry High School senior Tyrone Etheridge has signed a letter of intent to run with the Newberry College Wolves this fall.
Etheridge has been running track for three years and said that staying physically in shape was what first got him interested in the sport.
“But then when I jumped my first hurdle at Mid-Carolina that’s when I really got into it and took it seriously,” said Etheridge.
Prior to running track, Etheridge played football and said that once he started running track and got the feel of the sport, he gave up football.
For Etheridge, college wasn’t his first option, saying he had ultimately decided to go straight into the workforce after graduating high school.
“Then Newberry College contacted me and said that they wanted me for track, so that’s when I decided that I would go to college,” said Etheridge. “My oldest brother went to Newberry College, so I knew that it was a good college and the fact that this is going to be the first track team that goes through the school.”
While at Newberry College, Etheridge is considering majoring in engineering welder, what he initially would be doing if he went straight to work.
“I saw that they had an engineering program and that’s what really got me into it,” said Etheridge.
Etheridge knows that along with being an athlete and a student, keeping up with academics is important.
“I know that for sports, you have got to have good grades. I keep my grades up just so I can play sports,” said Etheridge.
Etheridge’s parents Tyrone Etheridge Sr. and Kimberly Hill are excited for what the future holds for their son.
“I’m excited. I’m going to stand behind him in whatever he does,” said Etheridge.
“I told Tyrone that I thinks it’s best to try to get a college degree. If he got that college degree behind him, he might have to work longer and harder but with a degree it will help a lot,” said Hill.
As for Etheridge’s future, his parents are ready to see their son get his degree.
“We want to see him get his degree and see how the track program goes, because it is the first time that they’re having a track program there, so maybe it can go further. With him, hopefully they can teach him more about being a man too,” said Hill.