Ja'Warren Hooker

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 m 10.18 s (1998), 200 m 20.23 s (2000), 400 m 44.78 s (2000)
*Born: September 24, 1978 in Chicago, Ill.
*High School: Ellensburg High School '97
*College: University of Washington '01

A little history Before Ja'Warren was a track star he never comprehended that he was very 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. He played halfback for Ellensburg High School ending his 4 year career with 57 touchdowns and 5100 yards. Hooker went 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 back-up member, but he did not get to compete. Before this Hooker was the 1997 USA Junior Champion in the 100 meters.

Personal best each year

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

High school career

In 1995 Hooker won the 100 meters race in 10.71 s as a Sophomore in high school to win his first appearance at the Pasco Invitational. The Pasco Invitational features top High School athletes and teams from Primarily Washington State with teams also competeing from Oregon and other regions. This track meet features 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 in the State Meet. In the Pasco Invitational, other good entries come from B, 2B, 1A and 2A schools of the region to Pasco to compete with the larger schools

The following year Hooker returned to the Pasco Invitational to win the sprint double in the 100 m (10.68 s) and 200 m (21.82 s) 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 10.44 s to set a meet record and the 200 meters in 21.40 s 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 10.27 s. Ja'Warren also has 8 indivdual state titles at the WIAA State Track and Field Championships, the most by any athlete from Washington.

References

* [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/sports/olympics/local/hooker_jawarren.html Seattle Times: 2000 Summer Olympics - Ja'Warren Hooker]
* [http://www.nwrunner.com/features/hookerapr2001.html Northwest Runner, April 2001 - Speak Softly and Run Like the Wind - Washington's Fastest Human, Ja'Warren Hooker, Takes On the Wind]
* [http://www.washington.edu/alumni/columns/dec05/extras_hooker.html Columns, University of Washington Alumni Magazine, December 2005: Ja’Warren Hooker, ’01]
* [http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/c-track/mtt/hooker_jawarren00.html Washington Huskies: Player Profile: Ja’Warren Hooker]
* [http://www.usatf.com/athletes/bios/oldBios/2001/Hooker_Ja'Warren.asp USA Track & Field: Ja'Warren Hooker]