Wyatt Lee’s rise in the track and field world has been meteoric.
The senior from Frontenac Secondary School in Kingston started running competitively in the spring of 2024, only to medal in both the 100-metre and 200-metre at the 2024 Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) track championships a couple months later. He then earned more notice when he set a Canadian U18 60-metre record at indoor nationals, running it in 6.71 and taking home the title less than a year later.
Lee then garnered international attention a month after that when he broke the U18 Canadian 100-metre record three times, his best being 10.34. He also won the 2025 OFSAA 100-metre and 200-metre events for good measure.
In an interview with The Journal, Lee talked about his late start in track and field. “In grade nine I did rugby. Wasn’t really my thing — wasn’t good at it, just was kind of fast,” Lee said. “In grade ten I started track because of my friend, and that’s really it. I wasn’t really an athletic type of person until I started to run.”
Lee expressed that he was “shocked” when he found out he first broke the Canadian U18 100-metre record. “Honestly, like, I wasn’t ever expecting to break it. I just didn’t know what to do besides be excited” he stated.
Lee attributes much of his success to his parents, who he says are his biggest supporters. He also gives credit to both his teachers and coaches at Frontenac, who have been supportive of him throughout his running career.
Besides his raw talent, Frontenac track and field Coach Geoff Stephen has contributed much of the sprinter’s success to his competitive work ethic. “He wants to continuously improve. He’s not satisfied just resting on the previous successes. He wants to keep getting better each race, each week […]. I think that’s really helped him be successful,” Stephen said in an interview with The Journal.
Despite his personal success, Stephen has also been impressed with Lee’s teamwork and selflessness while being on the school’s track and field team. “One of the things we’ve been happy to see and encourage is him working with the younger sprinters, just being willing to share that expertise. It’s one thing to be individually successful, but to have that sort of willingness to give back and help others is really nice to see.”
Lee’s accomplishments led to several Division 1 offers from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)colleges in the United States. After careful consideration, he decided to commit to North Carolina (NC) State University earlier in the month. He plans to study international business at the University in the fall.
“I just decided to let God do the talking, and he led me to NC State. I just like the coaches there, and there’s the best opportunity and best offer for me and my family,” the future commit said on his decision.
With all the attention he’s amassed over the last couple years, Lee has put an emphasis on ignoring the outside and focusing instead on his own journey and career path.
“I just try to mind my own business and be my own person,” he said. “Just believe in whatever I’m doing [and] keep getting better for the future ahead of me.”
Before he heads to North Carolina, Lee will look to defend his 100-metre and 200-metre titles at this year’s OFFSA and field championships. The event will be held in St. Catherines from June 4 to June 6.
“As long as he keeps that continuous improvement going, I think it’s definitely within his reach” Stephen said on Lee’s chances of winning.
Tags
athlete, High School, Kingston, Track and field
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