Walls Is An Overcomer

Walls Is An Overcomer

PHOTO: (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

CROSSVILLE, Ala. — William Arthur Ward said, “Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.” It’s this mentality that encompasses everything about Crossville High School senior, Nick Walls.

On June 2, 2014, Walls was involved in a four-wheeler accident that resulted in an L2 spinal injury and doctors telling him that he would never walk again. After two-and-a-half years of therapy, he is a testament of how determination and will can turn tragedy up on its head. Prior to his accident, he was very involved in basketball.

“That’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” said Walls. Then-Principal David Uptain and Driver’s Education instructor, Coach Randall Haynes, asked Walls if he would be interested in helping start up a track team.

“I said ‘Don’t you have to be able to run?’ to be on the track team?” Walls asked them. “They began to tell me about the many possibilities that track offers. That’s when I started getting interested in javelin, shot put and the discus.”

"Did you notice the smile on his face today?" asked Haynes. "It's always there, even before he was a State and National Record holder. It was there the first time I saw him after his accident."

"He has never had a bad day. I'm from Chattanooga. God put me in Nick's path and him in mine. We work very well together," Haynes continued. "To say I'm going to miss him after graduation would be an understatement! He is as dear to me as any of my own children. I will be there to shake his hand as he walks across the stage to receive his diploma on graduation night."

In the three years that Walls has participated in track, he has advanced to State and then won that State Championship in all divisions he participated in. This year at the State Track Meet in Gulf Shores, he won the Class 5A Wheelchair Discus with a throw of 77 feet, 4 inches. He also won the Boys Shot Put Wheelchair (Class 5A) and the Boys Javelin Throw with a score of 63-04.50.

Recently, he was the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Athlete of the Year.

Walls plans to attend Snead State Community College with the hopes of pursuing a music education degree. He plays guitar, piano, and loves to sing.

He will participate in Nationals on July 24-27, 2018 in Fort Wayne, Ind. to defend his previous National records. He hopes to continue his track career in the 18-22 Division. With his rankings, he hopes to eventually qualify for the U.S. Paralympics Olympic Team.

While adversity might break some people down, it causes others to grow and learn. Nick Walls is a prime example of the latter. We wish the best of luck to Nick in his future endeavors. We are rooting for you!