Willington Wright: Why I Chose MTSU


Willington Wright has been one of the biggest breakout performers in the state of Tennessee over the past year.

Next year, he's decided to take his talents to Murfreesboro as a member of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.

"MTSU has been one of my dream schools for quite some time now," Wright told us in a recent interview. "My recent visit confirmed that this was the environment I want to be in."

Wright burst onto the scene during the indoor season. He jumped 48-2 to win the indoor state championship in the triple jump. He also won the indoor 400 state title in 48.07.

On the track he feels like MTSU is the right fit for him. But becoming a Blue Raider has a lot to do with the academics as well.

The Hardin Valley senior feels like Middle Tennessee is a perfect fit for him in the classroom.

"My major played a huge role for choosing MTSU, he said. "I would like to get a degree in music business with a minor in audio production, and what better school to get it at besides a nationally ranked school of music."

Wright is excited to get away from home, but he's also thankful to not be that far away. He told us that he's enjoyed getting to know Head Coach Dean Hayes, adding that he gets the sense that his coaching staff really cares about each student-athlete.

Ultimately, he chose the Blue Raiders over Illinois, ETSU and UT Martin partly because of their proximity to his home in Knoxville.

"Illinois was a great school but way too far for my comfort so I'm glad I'm only two and a half hours away from home cooking and parent wisdom," he said. "I was homeschooled for most of my life so being independent will be a chance to see how good my 'away from home' training is."

Wright is already off to a great start this outdoor season as well. He just set a new personal best in the long jump at 21-7 to win the Farragut Invite. At last weekend's Battle of the Bridge, he broke 11 seconds for the first time in the 100, cruising to a win at 10.94. Later that night, he won the 200 as well in 21.83. Not to mention his 48.04 to win the 400 as well.

Don't expect him to stop there.

Wright has big plans for the outdoor season.

"I want to run a 46.75 and get the state record in the 400, as well as jump a 50ft in triple jump," he says.

If he keeps improving at this same pace, he'll have a good chance to do so.