William Perkins '19 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is William Perkins, and I compete in throwing events for the Somerset (KY) High School "Briar Jumpers" Track and Field team. I am 6'2" tall and weigh 215 lbs. I primarily throw discus but also compete in shot put. As an 8th grader, I unfortunately broke the scaphoid bone in my left (non-throwing) wrist, making it difficult to play football.  I then began throwing in the spring of my freshman year, thinking of it as an alternative. As I have learned and practiced the rotational techniques for both discus and shot, I have become increasingly enamored with the events. I prefer them for their individual nature, as one of the drawbacks in football for me was the game's reliance on so many variables beyond my control for success. The technical aspects of throwing also intrigue me, for I consider myself a technically-oriented athlete.

As a sophomore, I achieved third place at our regional meet and was honored to qualify/compete at my first state meet, finishing 15th overall. I also have made significant gains in my Personal Best distances--with a 9.5 percent increase in my shot put (to 34' 00") and a 28.2 percent increase in my discus (to 119' 1/2").

As a junior, I achieved first-place finishes in discus in 9 of 11 total meets and earned my first regional championship. I also was pleased to PR in shot put at my regional meet, finishing 5th overall and just missing the state-qualifying threshold by less than two inches. As the number 2 discus seed at my second state meet, I struggled with my first couple throws but did manage to to right the ship and qualify for the second round. Ultimately, my final/best throw of the day secured me a 4th place finish for 2018. Over the course of my junior season, I managed to improve my Personal Best distances significantly--with a 16.1 percent increase in shot put (to 39' 05.5") and a 19.4 percent increase in my discus (to 142' 01").

The only sport I compete in is Track and Field, providing me a long off-season to focus on improving both physically and technically for throws. My athletic goals for my senior year are to break my school's discus record of 144'7", win the Kentucky Class A Discus State Championship and establish myself as one of the most technically proficient high school throwers in my state. For college I hope to achieve a degree in computer science, computer engineering or applied mathematics and pursue a career in either computer engineering or software development.