February 07, 2017
Gabbie Matl
Since the start of the season, middle distance runner William Mayhew has proven to follow his mantra, “You’ve got to be your own man,” as a transfer athlete on the UCCS men’s track and field team.
The sophomore accounting major’s performances have helped the track and field team earn their current No. 23 spot in the NCAA rankings with his events in the 800 meter dash and the mile.
This season, Mayhew is hoping to make the AllAmerican team, which would place him in the top eight at the national competition.
Mayhew is more than willing to put the work in, according to co-head coach Brandon Masters.
“He’s bought into what we’re doing here. He’s one of the hardest working guys on the team, and it’s great to see him realize his potential. He’s just going to get faster as we go through the year,” said Masters.
Mayhew started his college athletic career as a freshman at Azusa Pacific University but decided to transfer to UCCS’ newly expanded program to run in his hometown, according to Mayhew.
Mayhew has enjoyed his transition to UCCS and competing with his new team under Masters and co-head coach Ross Fellows.
“Coach Masters and Ross are building a really awesome program here. I grew up in the Springs, and I wanted to be a part of that,” said Mayhew.
“I really like what (the coaches) are doing here. They are just really awesome guys and are great at training all of us.”
For the team, Mayhew shares his coaches’ goal of finishing near the top in the RMAC conference.
“I think we can finish fourth at the RMAC championships which would be huge since it’s such a strong division, but I think we’re in a really great spot right now” said Mayhew.
Mayhew is already breaking school records, ranking fifth in the nation for the 800 meter with an altitude-adjusted time of 1:51 and 11th in the mile with an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 4:11.04.
Mayhew’s love of the sport began when he was 9 years old. Mayhew started running with his dad who helped drive his enthusiasm.
“My dad was always the person who encouraged me to run. It was kind of a family activity; I’d go down to the track and spend time with my dad,” he said.
As he runs, Mayhew has been using his father’s advice to succeed in competitions.
“My dad would always tell me to ‘be your own man.’ When you race, it’s really easy to get caught up in it all,” said Mayhew.
“There are all the other people around you, and it’s easy to worry about them. But you need to focus on what you need to do and not get sucked into everyone else.”
Mayhew competed throughout middle and high school, earning two division titles and set a 4A 1600 meter record his senior year. According to Mayhew, he is an athlete who thrives on competition.
“What’s exciting about competing in college is that everyone is good. Even if there are some people who are better than you, you can still come out and run against some big names and the best competition,” said Mayhew.
The team competes next at the Don Kirby Invitational on Feb. 10-11 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.