Cam Whalen injects some fun into just about everything he does.

Sometimes that means cracking jokes during Stonington High School outdoor track practice or wearing a colorful bow tie at a sports banquet.

"I just don't like being boring," Whalen said. "I'm just always trying to have fun."

There's certainly nothing boring about his recently completed junior year.

Whalen, named The Day's 2017 All-Area Boys' Track & Field Athlete of the Year, rose to an elite level in the hurdles. He dominated the Eastern Connecticut Conference, captured two Class M individual titles, placed second in the State Open 110-meter hurdles and qualified for the New England meet for the second straight year.

He scores high marks in other areas as well.

"He's just a really great kid," said Stonington coach Jeff Parkinson, the Bears' head girls' coach who also helps boys' coach Ben Bowne direct the hurdlers. "I've been coaching for about 15 years now and he's one of the more naturally gifted athletes. Combine that with just being an all-around really good human being, good student, good kid in the community. He comes from a really nice family and his family is super supportive and involved.

"... Everything about him is good. I can't think of a negative thing to say about him."

One of the joys of coaching is watching kids grow and mature not only as athletes but as people, too.

Whalen is a prime example.

As a freshman, Whalen was on the quiet side. His brother, Kyle, a member of the track team, convinced him to give the sport a try.

Parkinson could tell that Whalen had the athletic ability, speed and explosiveness to become a top-notch hurdler. Whalen possessed the work ethic, determination and competitive spirit to make the journey.

He also developed into an inspirational leader, encouraging his teammates and motivating them to do their best. He was a captain for the soccer team, helping the Bears win their first ECC tournament title last fall.

"We didn't have a lot of seniors, so he was really a leader of the team," Parkinson said. "He cracks jokes and tries to make things fun. ... A lot of people see him as a real quiet kid. When we're practicing, he's in his element. He's actually pretty outgoing and a pretty wild guy. People would never guess that.

"Him and a couple of other guys in the junior class ... they're always doing goofy things at practice."

There's also a serious side to Whalen, especially when he steps to the starting line.

At the Class M meet Whalen faced some stiff competition, including Asa Guest of Northwest Catholic, in both the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles. He narrowly defeated Guest in the two races, finishing first in 15.07 and 40.24 seconds, respectively.

A strong finish in the 110 hurdles propelled Whalen past Guest, the defending state champion in that event.

"We were neck and neck the entire time," Whalen said. "It was definitely who wanted it more coming over the last few hurdles."

At the State Open, Whalen placed a close second in the 110 hurdles in 14.87 seconds, breaking his own school record set earlier in the season. An ankle injury suffered during the 110 event kept him out of the 300 hurdles.

Championship moments bring out the best in Whalen.

"I just like the pressure," Whalen said. "It's kind of what gets me going just knowing that it's all on me and the team needs me to step up. I want to help out and do something for the team."

Stonington needed him to carry a heavy load during a big regular season meet against Montville. Whalen delivered, winning the 110 hurdles and the 100 meters consecutively, as well as earning points in the 200 meters and the 300 hurdles. The Bears won the ECC Division II title.

"He's very, very motivated and an intense competitor," Parkinson said.

Whalen is branching out. He competed in the state decathlon in June, placing fourth overall. The top two finishers were seniors, so Whalen should be a contender next spring.

He will likely have a chance to run track in college if he chooses to do so. He's also considering playing soccer. He hasn't decided his athletic path yet.

Academically, he'd like to study physical therapy or athletic training.

There's still one more year of high school left for Whalen to spread the fun.

"That's the most important thing is people are having fun what they're doing," Whalen said.

g.keefe@theday.com

The Day's 2017 All-Area Boys' Track & Field Team

Player

of

the

Year - Cam Whalen (Stonington)

100 meters - Jawaun Johnson (NFA)

200 - Greg Clark (Montville)

400 - Nik Strickland (Montville)

800 - Nick Fitch (NFA)

1,600 - Brandon Mehlinger (NFA)

3,200 - Sam Whittaker (East Lyme)

4x100 relay - NFA (Jawaun Johnson, RJ Darby, Marcus Gates, Cruz Quintana-Rodriguez)

4x400 relay - Montville (Van Heller, Greg Clark, Nik Strickland, Nick Donnell)

4x800 relay - Old Lyme (Corey Knepshield, Danny Cole, Danny Reid, Trevor Wells)

High jump - Devin Craig (Waterford)

Pole vault - Chris Weir (NFA)

Long jump - James Smith (Ledyard)

Triple jump - Collin Wiltshire (Ledyard)

Shot put - Adelino DeVega (NFA)

Discus - Dmitri Van Duine (Stonington)

Javelin - Chris Hebert (NFA)

Utility - Dylan Hatajik (East Lyme), Joey Hinckley (Stonington)