Hunter named state track coach of the year

Judd Hunter was honored for 20 years of leading Arlington track athletes to sustained success

Longtime Arlington High School track coach Judd Hunter was selected as the Boys Track High School Coach of the Year for Washington state in 2021.

Hunter was selected by his peers at the U.S. Track & Field Coaches Association.

When Hunter was told about the recognition, he initially didn’t believe that he had won the award.

“I thought my AD [athletic director] was joking with me, teasing me,” he said.

It wasn’t until later he realized that it was real.

“I finally went to my mailbox at school and saw the letter,” said Hunter. “It’s kind of a cool feeling, but it did take me by surprise."

Hunter has been the Arlington High School track coach for 20 years now and will be heading into his 21st track season this spring.

He also serves as the defensive coordinator for the Arlington High School football team.

During high school and college Hunter competed on track teams and said he hoped to continue by coaching.

“When the job opened up in my second year here, I knew I wanted to apply for it,” he said.

After he received the job, he knew he wanted to coach track long term.

“I really like to see the improvement of the athletes from their freshman to their senior years,” said Hunter.

Hunter has brought a lot of success to Arlington track teams as well.

When he first started coaching in the program only about 30 students would try out for the team, but now some years get as many as 175 students.

“We’ve had a few state championships and those are always fun,” he said. “In 2010 we won our first league championship."

The teams have now won numerous league and district championships for both the boys and girls track teams over the last 10 years, including many championships in a row.

“We’ve had a lot of successes,” said Hunter. “I’m a very competitive person and we always keep a competitive mindset. I think the students appreciate that desire.”

He says he hopes to instill a “winning mindset” in the track athletes he coaches.

“We’re here to give it our best,” Hunter said. “We want the words we use to ourselves, to our teammates, to be winning positive words."

Hunter also wanted to recognize all of the assistant coaches who have also brought success to the team.

“I really want to thank the coaches I’ve had coaching with me over the years,” he said, including assistants such as Brent Copenhaver and Jon Murray.

“They all share my passion in the sport,” he said.