Wells Jr.'s 60-meter time was the fastest time in the world this year and the 33rd fastest in track and field history.
SEATTLE — Rainier Beach and Washington State University graduate Ray Wells Jr. ran the 60-meter dash in 6.48 seconds on Feb. 3. This was the world's fastest time this year and the 33rd fastest in track and field history.
Now, he's turning his attention to the 100-meter dash in pursuit of his Olympic dreams.
In 2020, Wells Jr. became a hot topic when he cleared 61 inches. A video clip of Wells Jr. clearing the hurdle was viewed by millions of people, but a year later he had to deal with another hurdle.
“In 2021, I was on top of the world,” Wells Jr. said. “I was on ESPN like 40 times and I was on American Ninja Warrior. I mean, I was on top of the world, and very quickly the world was on top of me. I did.”
Wells Jr. was aiming to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, but ruptured his Achilles tendon during a college tournament.
“This is an injury that most people don't recover from,” Wells Jr. said. “It was a real setback there. I didn't know where I was going. But before I knew it, I immediately tweeted. And that tweet is still there. On Twitter. I said, Now, the first day of my recovery begins.'' Well, it's all part of God's plan. ”
Wells Jr., the son of a pastor, said he has never lacked faith. In fact, he lives his life valuing his three characters of his GLF: God, Loyalty, and Family. And he ended up relying on those letters while recovering from his injury.
Wells Jr. began training with three-time NFL Pro Bowler and national track champion Eric Metcalf.
“I trust him 100 percent. He's a legend in his area of life,” Wells Jr. said. “But he's a very good coach, so I'm sure he'll have a plan for me.”
At Rainier Beach, Wells Jr. won the state championship in the 100 and 200 meter races.
At Washington State University, he holds the school's 60-meter dash record. Although he was never the biggest or strongest athlete, the junior Wells never let his size hold him back.
“My dad always told me not to let my size affect me, he always told me to just believe in myself and the moment I believe in myself it will happen,” Wells Jr. said. “It's been like that all my life. When I won the state title, my dad said congratulations. Let's go get more, I will. So I won the state title. When I won the title, my dad said congratulations: Let's go.'' He never satisfied me even if I got more. ”
So now Wells Jr. is trying to acquire more. The Olympics were once a childhood dream, but now it has become a reality for one of the country's fastest sprinters.
“I'm more excited about the work because I know it's going to get me there,” Wells Jr. said. “So instead of just thinking, ‘I want to go to the Olympics,’ you think, ‘What’s going to get me to the Olympics?’ So by the time you get there and look up, I’m like, oh, that’s what brought me here. ”
In Paris, only the top three athletes from the Olympic trials will compete in the 100-meter dash. In addition to training for the Olympic team, Wells, a junior, is currently the track and field coach at his school at Bush in Seattle.
