What started out as a tool to stay in shape quickly turned into a passion for Wolfpack redshirt senior sprinter Reggie Reese. While attending nearby Millbrook High School, Reese’s life revolved around football and he hardly gave track and field a thought. Aided by the encouragement of his father, Reese finally gave track and field a try, and has run with it ever since.
“My dad is the main reason why I started running track,” Reese said. “I loved playing football in high school and my dad wanted me to run track just to stay in shape after football season. I ended up really liking track and decided to stick with it.”
Reese developed into a highly decorated high school sprinter at Millbrook, earning All-American honors his senior year with times of 10.58 in the 100m and 21.70 in the 200m.
“It was a good experience running track for coach Richardson,” Reese said. “We had so much fun in practice and I felt like he knew me as both an athlete and a friend. Our relationship was pretty close.”
Reese gained notoriety around the area for being a top-notch sprinter that led to scholarship offers from many universities. However, in the end Reese felt he was best suited joining the Wolfpack because he felt the most comfortable in Raleigh.
“I had a lot of scholarship offers from local schools like North Carolina, UNC-Wilmington and East Carolina,” Reese said. “I wanted to come to State because it was the closest to home and I wanted to stay close to my family.”
N.C. State fans can certainly thank Reggie Reese Sr. for urging his son to start running track. In his final year at N.C. State, Reese has already become one of the most accomplished sprinters in Wolfpack history, posting career bests of 10.31 in the 100m and 21.15 in the 200m.
Reese was unfortunately hampered by hamstring injuries last season and was forced to redshirt the entire year. But Reese was excited about competing and helping the team again upon his return to the track during the 2009 indoor season.
“I was kind of nervous at the start of the indoor season because I knew it was my last year,” Reese said. “I’ve tried to put forth more effort this season than I ever have before.”
On April 9 at the Sea Ray relays in Knoxville, Tenn., Reese posted his fastest non-wind-aided 100m time of the year with a 10.60. Reese was encouraged with his performance, which bodes well for the Wolfpack as the ACC Outdoor Championships are quickly approaching.
“I’m focused on staying healthy,” Reese said. “This past weekend my hamstring started hurting again so I’ve been kind of conscience of it, but I just want to stay healthy and finish the whole outdoor season.”
The ACC Outdoor Championships begin Thursday and conclude on Saturday in Clemson, S.C. In his final year, Reese will undoubtedly want to compete well and end his career on a high note.
“I think we will do well at the ACC championships,” Reese said. “Injuries have hit the team pretty hard but I still think we’ll have a good showing at the meet.”
