Hughes inks track letter with HBU

Jim Ed Hughes, a senior at Newton High school, signed a track and field athletic scholarship to compete for Houston Baptist University.

The HBU Huskies compete at the highest athletic level as a NCAA Division 1 member institution. Hughes plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and then obtain his Masters degree and become a Nurse Practitioner.

When asked why he picked HBU over other colleges that were recruiting him as a discus thrower Hughes replied, "HBU not only offered the nursing degree I wanted, they actually have a hospital on campus which makes it much easier to do the nursing clinicals and still get to track practice.

"The campus is really neat - very clean, well kept and compact," Hughes said. "Coach Fuqua is the head coach and has a lot of Division 1 experience and is as a four-time All-American and the throwing coach, Ryan Harlan, is a world ranked decathlete. Everything just fell in place for me to make HBU my choice."

Hughes has been competing in the discus event in school and summer track for the past six years. He qualified for the Junior Olympic nationals twice in his throwing career.

NEWTON'S JIM ED HUGHES signed a track and field scholarship with Houston Baptist University last week. Pictured above, seated, left to right, are Rita Hughes, mother; Jim Ed Hughes, track & field athlete; Randall Reich Newton track coach. Standing - Jim Ed Hughes, father.

His goal has always been to compete in college. Now that he has inked his college scholarship, his next challenge is win district again this year and compete in regional's and get to the state meet in Austin. Another goal is to break his dad's 27-year-old Newton discus record before this season is over.

Jim Ed is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Junior Statesmen of America and is on the Distinguished Achievement graduation track.

He also earned firstteam all-district football and played varsity baseball. Because of his academic and extra-curricular accomplishments he also earned an academic scholarship from HBU.