ROCK SPRINGS — When Seth Hymas stepped onto the junior high track for the first time in seventh grade, he didn’t know what kind of legacy he would leave behind by the time his senior year came around.
To date, Hymas has broken five Rock Springs High School records during the indoor track and field season and an additional three records during football season. With the outdoor track and field season ahead of him, there’s no telling how many records he may hold by the time he graduates.
While the school record books have existed for years, Hymas appears to be writing his own book to leave behind.
A Passion for Track
The senior athlete has participated in football, baseball and track during his high school athletic career. The sport that has stuck with him the most has been track and he even gave up baseball to pursue it. One of the reasons he favors the sport over others is due to the fact that the sport feels more like a community.
During his freshmen year he met Payton Suitter from Bingham High School and Cole Noriega from Davis High School in Utah. Although the three fiercely compete against one another, they have formed a special bond through track.
“Every time we go to a Utah meet, we catch up like we are old friends,” Hymas said.
Friendships and hard work have deepened Hymas’ love for the sport which has brought him a wealth of success.
Record After Record
Hymas’ first school records came in the fall during football season. According to RSHS head football coach Mark Lenhardt, Hymas owns the school records for most passing yards (1,510 yards), longest pass from scrimmage (99-yard pass), and most passing touchdowns (14).
When indoor track season hit, Hymas first broke the 55-meter hurdle record with a time of 8.11 which replaced Trent Rasmussen’s time of 8.19 in 2017. Soon after, Hymas eclipsed another record. Leaping into the new long jump record with a measurement of 21′ 9.5″ the jump gave him the second record of the season over former record holder Hunter Hanson. Hymas broke his third record of the season with a 8.65 finish in the 60-meter hurdles, out racing Cole Goich’s old time of 8.90.
In Laramie, at the last meet of the regular season, Hymas re-broke two of his own indoor records. The first to fall was his 55-meter hurdle record with a time of 8.07 and soon after was his own long jump record with a half foot improvement of 22′ 0.5′.
Out of all of Hymas’ records, his favorite is the long jump record because it’s his favorite event. However, his 60-meter hurdle record at the Simplot Games was also special.
“It was my last chance to run the 60-meter hurdles this year. We only got two chances this year. I made finals with my time at the Simplot Games and broke the school record. I was floating on cloud nine,” Hymas said.
Hymas’ indoor track records carry a lot of meaning behind them. Each previous record holder was someone he grew up and competed with.
“I practiced with them, grew up with them and knew them really good,” Hymas said.
Off to State
The indoor state track and field meet will take place this weekend in Gillette. Hymas, along with the rest of the RSHS indoor track and field team look forward to competing against the rest of the state.
Hymas will be participating in the long jump, 55-meter hurdles, sprint medley relay and 4×400 relay. Whatever the outcome may be for Hymas this weekend, he’s grateful for the success he has found this season.
“I’m excited I took the path I did and I’m glad where I’m at now,” Hymas said. “I’ve just got to keep building for the rest of my senior year.”
Hymas plans on finishing his senior year out with the RSHS outdoor track and field team. He has received a few offers from different schools for track and field, but hasn’t found an option that will serve him better than the University of Wyoming.
Hymas’ future might remain unknown for the time being, but his records have been noted.
