Will Floyd is the dark horse of the 2022 track & field season.

With a COVID impacted high school athletic career — a non-existent freshman season and a condensed sophomore season — this quiet, unassuming Prep junior took many by surprise this spring with a trio of individual state championships, winning the 100, 200 and 400-meter events. Will is the first sprinter at the WIAA 3A level to score a “triple crown” since 2006. His unprecedented performance in the 200M (:21.01) also set a new state record.

“Will is the best athlete I have ever coached,” says Deino Scott ’74, Will’s coach. “He does whatever I ask him to do and puts everything he has into it. He is truly a gift. If you coach long enough you have the fortune of working with an athlete like Will.”

The Panther Track & Field Team is the largest coed program at Seattle Prep. This year 150 students participated; 70 were sprinters like Will.

Will started his track career in sixth grade running with the Catholic Youth Organization. In seventh grade he joined a club team. At Prep he has continued to run year-round (with the Bellevue Club in the off season) as well as play wide receiver on the Panthers’ football team. Will plans to continue playing both sports in his upcoming senior year.

Will sees himself as “highly competitive” although his quiet, pensive manner is a stark contrast to the stereotypical loud, energetic, outgoing athlete.

Will’s mantra about running is fundamental. “Running is black and white and highly personal,” he says. It’s this refreshing blend of pragmatism and humility that makes Will a standout.

Coach Scott says, “I have never heard Will complain. He models a fantastic work ethic and is a strong, silent leader for his teammates. He didn’t say more than 10 words last year. This year he cracked a few jokes. He has a great sense of humor! The kids absolutely love him. Sometimes when they come to me for help, I say, ‘just ask Will.’ That’s how much confidence I have in his athletic abilities and leadership.”

Looking to next year’s season, all eyes are on Will. Run Floyd Run might just prove to be the hit sequel to Run Forrest Run.