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It was a year of redemption for William Penn senior Richard Day-Hampton, this year's Boys' Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Suspended during his junior season for academic reasons, the bright-eyed sprinter had a lot of time to make up for this season. And he did just that, collecting three gold medals at the YAIAA Track and Field Championships in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and as the anchor for the 400-meter relay team.
He added to his medal collection at the District 3 Class AAA Championships a week later, posting a second-place finish in the 100 (11.44), a third-place finish in the 400 relay (42.73) and a fifth-place finish in the 200 (22.98), while qualifying for the state meet in all three events.
Day-Hampton failed to make the finals in the state meet, but that slight setback in his lofty season goals wasn't enough to detract from all the success he did experience.
The speedster slowed down a little after wrapping up a day of coaching local children in his favorite sport to answer a few questions.
What made you pick track?
I played South York Warrior football when I was younger, and I was the fastest on the team. Everyone told me I should run track, so I decided to try it.
What goes through your mind when you're running?
I usually try to visualize the finish, but sometimes songs come into my head and I run to them.
What was
My goal was to make it back to states and place. I wasn't there last year, so this year I had to redeem myself.
If you were in charge of picking a new mascot for your school, what would you pick?
Probably a tiger. Tigers are really fierce, and they're the king of the jungle after lions, so I would go with the Tigers.
If you couldn't run track, what sport would you play?
Football, definitely.
If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be?
My grandfather, Wendell Lewis, and my grandmother, we called her Bobby Mom, and probably my great-grandfather, Virgil Day.
Did you have a nickname growing up?
A lot of people call me Rich, and my grandfather used to call me vust-head because I was hard headed.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would want to fly. It's easier than walking or running. You can just take off.
Would you rather compete on "Dancing with the Stars" or "American Idol?"
Dancing.
How do you think you would do?
I would probably win it. I'm a good dancer.
Who would your partner be?
Halle Berry.
What are three items you would take with you to a deserted island?
A jersey, a football and my track spikes.
Any specific jersey?
LaRon Landry from the Washington Redskins.
Do you own an iPod?
Yeah.
How many songs do you have on it.
Right now probably like 694. I had to delete some.
What is your favorite kind of music to listen to?
Rap.
Who is the toughest opponent you ran against this year?
The toughest runner is probably my brother (teammate) Travis Gilbert. He's always tough and really fast, and he had that start that I could never get down.
Have you lived in York all your life?
No, I've been in York since I was seven.
Where were you born?
Miami.
Do you wish you were still there?
Yeah, sometimes.
What's the best vacation you've ever taken?
Going to Disney World with my mom when I was nine. It was my first time there, and it was so much fun.
Did you have a favorite Disney character?
Simba.
Where would you love to vacation in the future?
Hawaii.
What is something you remember from first grade?
I remember winning my first spelling bee. I even remember the winning word, which was book.
Have you competed in any other spelling bees?
Nope, that was the only one I competed in. It was the only school I ever went to that held a spelling bee for the whole school. The other schools just held them in class.
Are you a clean bedroom person or a messy bedroom person?
Messy bedroom.
Is there any room to walk?
You can walk for a couple of steps, but then I've kind of made a path where it's a foot here and a foot there without stepping on anything.
What are you doing this summer?
I'm a track coach for young kids as part of the 21st Century Program.
Do you enjoy coaching young kids?
It's a lot of fun, giving back to young kids. I would have loved to have someone coach me in track when I was little. I'd probably be a lot better than I am now.
