Thomas signs with South Alabama
Three-time state medalist first GBHS male college track athlete in six years
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Running with the Jags Will Thomas (seated, center) signed a cross country and track scholarship with the University of South Alabama Friday. Also pictured are (seated): parents Cindy and Greg Thomas. Standing (from left): GBHS track coaches Bobby Parrish, Tom Aldridge, Angel Savage and Greg Hundley.

Will Thomas, less than week off his threemedal performance at the state meet, signed a cross country and track scholarship Friday with the University of South Alabama.

"I really like the coaches there," said Thomas, adding that USA was the first offer he received. "It should be a great opportunity."

Former Dolphin Paul Brueske is one of the coaches at the Mobile school.

"He's got a heart as big as the track," said coach Greg Hundley of Thomas, who was seventh at the state meet in the 4x800 meter relay and the 1,600 meter run. He was fifth in the 800 with a school record time of 1:58.12.

Thomas anchored the 4x800 meter relay, which included Tommy Gibble, Sam Grooms and Kurt Mason, who also set a school record with their time of 8:10.6.

"He's one of the hardest working athletes I've coached in a long time," Hundley said.

Hundley thought the pivotal point in Thomas' season came at the Pace Patriot Invitational, where he came back in the 800 to beat one of the Boykin boys from Navarre and a kid from Washington.

"I told him 'you don't fear another runner this year,'and that's how he ran," Hundley said.

Thomas is the first male from Gulf Breeze to sign a track scholarship in six years. Brandon Carey, who won three consecutive state titles in the shot put, signed with South Florida in 2002.

He's also the second member of the Dolphin Class of 2008 to sign with USA. Ashley Collins, the goalkeeper on the Lady Dolphins' state tournament soccer team, also signed with USA. She'll join former Lady Dolphin Kristi Lee on the Lady Jaguar squad.