Ja'Warren Hooker

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Ja'Warren Hooker (born September 24, 1978 in Chicago) is a sprinter and former University of Washington football player.

Event: Sprints
Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
PRs: 100 10.18s (1998), 200 20.23s (2000), 400 44.78s (2000)
Born: September 24, 1978 in Chicago, Ill.
High School: Ellensburg, WA '97
College: University of Washington '01

A little history Before Ja'Warren was a track star he never saw that he was really fast. Hooker stated that his speed was hard to visualize because his older sister always beat him. Hooker is one of 7 children and has not seen his biological father since he was little. Ja'Warren's step father is a chemist for the Washington state agriculture department. When Hooker entered high school he was the only black male in the school. He played halfback for Ellensburg ending his 4 year career with 57 touchdowns and 5100 yards. Hooker went of from there to play football at the University of Washington. Ja'Warren also played basketball for his High School where he shot 40% from 3 point range. Hooker was an overall great athlete and played many sports but his love was Track and Field.

When Ja'Warren decided to go to the University of Washington, he was escorted around by the girls soccer star Marisa Lyons. He developed a relationship with her, and on july 7th, a night where he had just been discussing the future with her, she died in his arms of cardiac arrhythmia. When attending her funeral Ja'Warren held her teddy bear and said "I've never been defeated in a race, but Marisa beat me to heaven, i wish it had been a tie.

Career Highlights: Ja'Warren made the 2000 Olympic relay team as a pool member, but he did not get to compete. Before this Hooker was the 1997 USA Junior Champion in the 100 meters.

[edit] Personal best each year

2000: Placed 7th at Olympic Trials in 45.05s and set a PR of 44.78s at the Olympic Trials semi finals. Won the 200 meters at the Adidas Oregon Track Classic on June 25 in 20.37s. Also set a PR of 20.23 in the 200 meters. 1999: Bests of 10.32s in the 100 meters and 20.48 in the 200 meters. 1998: Won NCAA Indoor 55 meter dash and placed 5th at USA Outdoor Championships in the 200 meter dash. Also placed 3rd at NCAA 100 meter Dash. Had bests of 10.18s, 20.54s and 46.42s. 1997: Won USA Juniors 100 meter dash and placed 5th in the 200 meters. Had bests of 10.27 100 meters, 21.02 200 meters, and 46.23 400 meters. Set Pasco Invitational Records in the 100 and 200 meters 10.44s/21.40s. 1996: Bests of 10.57s and 47.77s. Won Pasco Invitational with sprint double in 100 and 200 meters(10.68s/21.82s)

[edit] High School Career

In 1995 Hooker won 100 meters in 10.71s as a sophomore in High School to win his first appearance at the Pasco Invitational. The pasco invitation features top High School athletes from Washington and Oregon. This track meet feature more competition than the WIAA State Track and Field Championships. This is because the best from 3A and 4A High Schools come together to compete. other good entries come from B and 1A schools that they will not get to compete against due to division size. The Fallowing year Hooker returned to the Pasco Invitational to win the sprint double in the 100(10.68s) and 200(21.82s) meters. His final chance to compete at the Pasco Invitational was not wasted as he performed another sprint double in record fashion. Hooker won the 100 meters in 10.44s to set a meet record and the 200 meters in 21.40s also for a meet Record. Hooker competed in 5 events over those 3 years running at the Pasco Invitational and won all 5 times. Ja'Warren has the Washington State Record for the 100 meters set at 10.27s. Ja'Warren also has 8 indivdual state titles at the WIAA State Track and Field Championships, the most by any athlete from Washington.