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Santa Fe's Connor Wetherington is bound for UNC-Charlotte after record-breaking season

ainslie lee, the gainesville sun
·2 min read
Santa Fe senior Connor Wetherington signed a track and field scholarship with UNC-Charlotte on May 23 at Santa Fe High School.
Santa Fe senior Connor Wetherington signed a track and field scholarship with UNC-Charlotte on May 23 at Santa Fe High School.

Santa Fe senior Connor Wetherington added University of North Carolina-Charlotte signee to his long list of accolades on Monday afternoon as he inked his national letter of intent from the high school.

The distinction of "signee" comes on the heels of Wetherington leading the Raiders to a third place-finish in the FHSAA Class 2A track and field finals on May 12. Wetherington did so with a record-breaking performance in javelin.

With a throw of 61.00 meters (200'1"), Wetherington became the first in FHSAA history to surpass the 200-feet mark.

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Santa Fe High School's Connor Wetherington throws the javelin during the FHSAA Class 2A State Championships held at Percy Beard Track on the University of Florida campus, May 12, 2022. Wetherington's throw of 61.00m won him first place and a state championship.
Santa Fe High School's Connor Wetherington throws the javelin during the FHSAA Class 2A State Championships held at Percy Beard Track on the University of Florida campus, May 12, 2022. Wetherington's throw of 61.00m won him first place and a state championship.

When Wetherington gets to UNC-Charlotte, he will be doing much more than just tossing the javelin as he joins the 49ers as a decathlete — which is a journey that started when Wetherington was 7.

"It's not for a lot of people," Wetherington said. "I'd say for me, track is very addictive... That's why I like the decathlon."

For Wetherington, who, by his own admission, works himself into the ground somedays, the 10-event competition that spans two days is perfect for him.

"Training and being out there every day... some days I'm throwing up... but it's addictive to me," Wetherington said. "When I'm done, I like feeling tired."

With such commitment, it's no wonder Wetherington started garnering the attention of college track and field programs across the country. When UNC-Charlotte came knocking, Wetherington had a near-instant feeling that it was the right fit for him.

Some of Wetherington's club coaches and trainers had previous ties to the 49ers' program and were quick to endorse the school.

"The coaching there and my relationship with the head coach is unreal," Wetherington said of the 49ers and head coach Bob Olesen. "They were giving me the most interest and always checking up on me."

Wetherington is just two months from packing his bags and heading up to Charlotte, N.C., to begin his college career.

When asked if he was ready to be away from his family, he admits he previously thought he was. But as his move-in date quickly approaches, he's becoming more anxious to head north.

But he said: "I'm ready."

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Recruiting: Santa Fe's Connor Wetherington signs with UNC-Charlotte track