Fuquay Varina High School has an outstanding athletics department including track and field, football, and basketball. Now one of our programs can boast that they have the number one ranked athlete in the nation. Senior Gates Hinton, a member of the FVHS track and field team, is nationally ranked number-one in discus.

Hinton is not only an outstanding athlete, but also an amazing student and entrepreneur. Gates has his own car detailing company, Big 9 Detailing, which provides services ranging from cleaning to detailing your vehicle. 

Hinton has been throwing discus since his freshman year. During his discus career, his ranking has skyrocketed due to his dedication and extra training. 

“My family is one of my biggest supporters and support system. My buddy, Trip, has pushed me in the weight room and out on the field. We are always talking about technical things. Coach Hall has been great. Me and my parents talk all the time about successes in practice and games,” said Hinton.

Being nationally ranked as the best has been a dream come true for Hinton. Since freshman year, Hinton has looked at the best in the nation and tried to do whatever he could to make it to the top. He realized there was a lot of work that he needed to put in to reach the top. 

“It’s kind of a surreal feeling. I remember last year looking at all the top guys and seeing where I ranked among them and realizing I had a lot of hard work to put in. I double-downed on myself and here I am sitting on the top,” said Hinton.

Some things that helped Hinton achieve his goals included spending more time in the gym, working on technique, and talking to teammates and coaches.

Hinton has accepted an offer to compete in Division 1 Track and Field at UNC Charlotte. It is an honor to say an FVHS athlete will have the opportunity to further his career at the collegiate level.