Record-Setting Westside Athlete Taking Talents to Next Level

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

When Ayanna Hunt left Anderson for Southern University Sunday, the Westside High School student-athlete left behind a series of accomplishments in track and field that may be hard to match.

Hunt was chosen 2024 All Upstate High School girls' track and field team athlete of the year. During the 2024 season, she posted top marks in the state for both the discus (154 ft 11 in) and the shot put (40 ft 5 in).

Excellence in athletics runs in the family. Ayanna’s mother, Ayokka Hunt has led the girls track and field team to two regional championships, still holds two school records and was inducted into the Westside High School Hall of Fame in 2013. In college, she was an All-Conference athlete at Appalachian State University, where she broke school records in the discus, shot put, and hammer throw, and won four national titles.

Ayokka’s father and Ayanna’s grandfather also played a key role in their athletic accomplishments.

Westside Coach Butch Green who lettered in baseball, basketball and track while at Westside, including being a member of the 1962-63 State Basketball Championship team and the 1963-64, won several conference awards in basketball and track, including silver medals in 4 events at the 1964 high school track championship. He set the high school record in high jump, discus throw, and long jump in 1964. He was inducted into the Westside Hall of Fame in 2015. Green lettered in basketball and track at Paine College and was inducted into the college's Hall of Fame in 2013.

Both women credit Coach Green for their success.