Hunter Hall is the oldest in a set of triplets. He's 18 years old. He competes on the Lee's Summit North track team. He runs the 100-meter dash and he is a long jumper. It just so happens that Hunter is also blind.
"People are always commenting, 'Awesome job Hunter, you're an awesome rock star,'" he explained through his signature smile.
When Hunter was 1 year old, his grandma noticed something wasn't right. His mom took him for tests that sent them to California. Doctors confirmed Hunter had Leber Congenital Amaurosis, or LCA for short. His mom Lucinda Hall remembers it like it was yesterday.
“It was like someone told me someone had died in my family." She paused to dab her eyes welling with tears. "It was very emotional, I still get very emotional about it talking about it."
With support of his family, Hunter adapted. He attended Children's Center for the Visually Impaired from ages 1 to 6.
In fourth grade he tried running. It was tough. Remember, he can't see. He couldn't stabilize himself. Gradually, he improved. The choppy steps morphed into fluid strides. In eighth grade he made it on the middle school track team.
"I do it because it’s my favorite thing to do in the spring time," Hunter said.
By the time he started high school at Lee's Summit North, he was ready to join the high school track team. Head coach Eric David agreed.
"Obviously, I love my sport that I coach and I want more people enjoy it as much as possible. I was really excited about the prospect of Hunter competing," David remembered.
"I have a rope with two knots on it and I hold on to one knot and my buddy holds on to the other as we go down the track," Hunter demonstrated.
RELATED: Hunter credits his achievements partly on Alphapointe, an organization that is focused on rehabilitating the visually impaired. Learn more about Alphapointe in a special Web exclusive story.
The long jump event is different. It requires running and precision jumping to perform the moves.
“Our long jump is based off of steps. We count the steps to know when to jump. I'll coach him on his environment, on where to put his feet, and I make sure he's pointed the right direction," explained Matt Sessler.
Hunter's last track meet of the season took place at Raymore-Peculiar on Wednesday. His longest jump reached nine feet. Hunter is not only leaping over barriers on the track - he's excelling in class too. This semester he earned a 4.0 GPA.
"He's thinking of attending the Missouri State School of the Blind after graduation, which is in St. Louis. Living away from home tugs at my heartstrings, but it would be good for him too," Lucinda Hall said.
If Hunter isn't on the track or studying, you may find him volunteering at the Prairie Township Fire Protection District. It's a passion for helping people that he hopes to continue after school.
"I'm really hoping to take a career in 911 dispatching one of these days. I love it," Hunter said.
His mom has no doubt he'll conquer any challenge in his path and along the way inspiring others.
"I want to see him succeed and go as far as he can. Whatever he sets his mind to, I know he'll do it," she said.
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Mike Marusarz can be reached at mike.marusarz@kshb.com.
