MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Sebastian Spencer’s name has been well-known around West Virginia for his work on the gridiron and on the track. The Weir High School senior has been honored twice as a first team all-state selection at defensive back. After receiving multiple college offers in football and track, Spencer has verbally committed to join the University of North Carolina track program.
“After taking all the visits and sitting down with my parents to discuss my future, we thought it was in my best interest and that I could have the most success in track and field.”
Spencer is a seven-time state champion (three individual, four relays). Last spring, Spencer cruised to victory in the 100 and 200 meter runs and he ran the anchor leg on the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams.
“A couple months ago, Coach (Adrian) Wheatley followed me and started talking to me and when I went there for an official visit, I fell in love with it. The campus is beautiful. The coaches and the team in general are just a bunch of great guys.
“They have a really nice indoor facility. I talked with the sprinters and they talked about how much improvement they have had with Coach Wheatley. They posted some really good times at the (ACC) Championships and it was big for me seeing how much they have grown.”
Spencer expects to compete in the 100 meter, 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter relays at UNC.
Following the close of Weir’s football season, Spencer competed in indoor meets that raised his recruiting profile.
“I think it was after a couple of my indoor 60’s, they realized that my times were pretty good and they started to take notice.”
Spencer’s performance in the 4×100 meter relay at last year’s state meet went viral after he passed six competitors in the final 80 meters to lead Weir to a title.
“It is crazy how many people still talk about it. It seems like it was forever ago. People mention it everyday.”
Like all spring sport athletes, Spencer is hopeful that the track season can eventually get started.
“I am going to have to be ready. It is a lot of in-house workouts — sit-ups, pushups, just making sure I go outside, run around the neighborhood and find a couple hills to run. You have to be ready to run immediately.”