By D.A. Reed
WKTV Contributor
East Kentwood senior Joshua Hurt isn’t satisfied with staying in one place — in more ways than one.
“Josh is an excellent athlete and student (3.72 GPA), but a better person,” said David Emeott, co-athletic director at East Kentwood High School and the boys track and field coach. “He is kind and caring and always considerate of his teammates … and is willing to do what it takes to improve.”
An All-State 110-meter hurdler the past two years and three-time All-Conference, Hurt is no stranger to hard work. And he doesn’t make excuses.
“I love how there are no excuses,” Hurt told WKTV. “Either you run well, or you don’t, and that’s on you.”
Hurt claimed his outdoor personal best at hurdling and first place in the event during the Charlie Janke Track & Field Invitational in April 2022, with a time of 14.66 during the 110 hurdles. He also placed fourth in the state (14.77) at the Division 1 finals, where his team finished third overall.
Changing it up
Though Hurt excels at hurdling, Emeott said the athlete decided to change things up by joining the cross country team this fall in order to gain an edge on his competitors.
“Before school started, I wasn’t planning to run cross country at all,” Hurt said. “But after my coach invited me to a pre-season meeting with the cross country team, I was persuaded by the possible endurance and mental gains as well as the leadership I could offer the team.”
Hurt chose to focus solely on cross country this fall even though he would have liked to compete in hurdling as well.
“It was safer for me to just focus on one thing at a time,” Hurt said.
Despite pulling a personal best at the Otsego Bulldog Invitational with a time of 22:31:3 for the 5,000-meter event, Hurt admitted the highlight of his season came from practices during the season. Specifically, their Roho workouts from an online fitness coaching platform.
Roho in Swahili means “spirit“ or “heart.” Kip Keino, a Kenyan Olympic distance runner, highlighted his Roho workouts in an interview, and how they gave him the ability to push past his physical and mental fatigue during the Olympics.
“We would have our hard workouts, such as our Roho workouts, probably the hardest workout of the season. While our bodies were in pain and we were fighting through this workout, everyone came together to support each other, and helped everyone push through,” Hurt said.
Starting young
“It all started when I was in elementary school, running in the mileage club where I would go run laps around our course every day during recess,” Hurt explained.
Those laps led Hurt to join the Kentwood Track Club, where he was able to try different track and field events for fun, and without pressure.
Hurt began taking hurdling seriously after a cousin who hurdled in college suggested he try it out. Hurt said he did try hurdling, but “wasn’t the best at it.”
The summer of that year, however, he began training with his current high school coach, Stephanie Stephenson, as well as a past East Kentwood hurdler who is now a University of Michigan hurdler.
“Through this experience, I found a love in the adrenaline rush of getting over these intimidating obstacles that the majority are scared of,” Hurt said.
Growing and learning
Hurt has shown that he is always striving to develop his skills and is not afraid to take on challenges and try new things by becoming a leader as well as an accomplished athlete.
A member of the East Kentwood Athletic Leadership Council, Hurt also guides the track team in pre-season conditioning as well as speed and agility training.
That leadership rolls over into marching band as section leader for the drumline. Hurt also is active in the high school Symphonic Wind Ensemble as a percussionist.
Moving forward
Hurt says he loves hanging out with friends when he’s not training in athletics or practicing for band, and also loves learning new information about, and new skills in, the automotive industry.
“It is one of my main passions,” Hurt continued. “I love learning how the different parts work. I love looking at the basic, untouched cars on the road and envisioning the potential that it has to become my personalized art.”
Hurt is looking toward the future, planning to attend college and to continue running track and field. Though he’s had a few colleges approach him, interested in his various skills, Hurt has not yet committed to one school.
D. A. (Deborah) Reed is an award-winning author of young adult novels and a creative writing instructor from the Grand Rapids area. To find out more about D.A. Reed, visit her website: D.A. Reed Author
