Rock Hill’s Brandon Hudgins headed to U.S. Olympic trials

Rock Hill’s Brandon Hudgins was hooked up to a chemotherapy machine during the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic trials, watching the 1,500-meter qualifying on television while poisonous medicine decimated his rebellious immune system.

Hudgins won’t be watching on TV this time around. In less than two weeks, he’ll compete in the 2016 Olympic trials.

His mere presence in Oregon, given battles with the autoimmune disease, vasculitis, and an inability to train full-time until just three weeks ago when he quit his day job at a resort in the North Carolina mountains, is impressive.

“I wish I could say I was just so grateful to be there. It’s a huge accomplishment, I’m aware of that,” he said. “But I’m not happy with just making it, and that was not the plan. The plan is to get there and make a splash.”

Hudgins ran a 3:38.2 at Furman University earlier in June, the 16th best time in the country, and the fastest outside of the automatic qualification time of 3:37. He figures he’ll be seeded between 16 and 20 when the trials begin and the qualifying dust settles. Still, it would have been comforting to hit the automatic mark.

“It’s kind of like a whirlwind of emotion,” Hudgins said on Monday. “I was excited because I finally ran a time I knew I was capable of running. But at the same time, I still wanted to go faster, know I can go faster and you’re also nervous. Everybody’s telling you you’re gonna get in, it’s never not gotten in, but you’re just, like, aaaaahhhhh.”

Since this story detailing Hudgins’ journey last summer, he’s had a successful year. He competed at Philadelphia’s famous Penn Relays, the country’s highest profile track and field meet. He ran well, finishing second in front of more than 20,000 spectators and his coach, James Snyder, who works at Temple University. Hudgins had never run in the meet because of either illness or circumstance, but relished the opportunity.

He’s also avoided health problems. The vasculitis has been pretty well wrangled since the last major flare-up in 2013 and Hudgins also avoided any of the numerous injuries runners can suffer that result from high mileage. A consistent training schedule and absence of unexpected health problems helped Hudgins keep his anxiety in check.

“We’ve planned really well this year and I haven’t been able to do that in the past because I’ve had to scrape and scrap to get into meets,” he said.

The 29-year old feels good headed into the trials. After landing a top-20 time in early June, Hudgins was able to pull out of races in the last few weeks he had lined up in case he needed more shots at a faster time. He had “the workout of my life” on Monday, 10 days before the qualifiers begin and the last day that he could make a significant impact on his fitness. Now he just has to relax and refresh.

“I’m definitely on the upswing headed into the trials,” Hudgins said. “I’m not worn out, my body feels good as it’s ever felt, I’m as fit as I’ve ever been, I’m as fast as I’ve ever been. So it’s really just about, from now to the trials, not screwing anything up.”

Hudgins finally had to quit his job at a resort near Boone, N.C., because of clashes with his racing schedule. He’s run and worked full-time the last few years, but finally stepped away from the job in late May after working nine days during a 10-day stretch.

“It came down to deciding between my running career or the job that’s allowed me to train the last couple of years,” Hudgins said. “I had to go in and tell my boss that I was giving them five days’ notice and that I was done.”

Hudgins’ financial situation isn’t cushy. But he’s fully able to concentrate on a unicorn of an opportunity for the first time.

“The phrasing we like to use is ‘he’s right in the pocket,’” said Snyder. “He’s in a perfect spot. The people that are training hardest latest in the season, are usually gonna be at their best when it matters. And I think Brandon’s come into his own in the last four to six weeks.”

Hudgins’ life has imprinted upon him the importance of seizing the opportunity. Even if he doesn’t qualify for the Olympics, Hudgins hopes to continue raising vasculitis awareness - the Vasculitis Foundation has helped financially support his running during the last year - and also land an elusive shoe company sponsorship. Despite his gregarious personality and unusual backstory, Hudgins will be the highest seeded runner at the Olympic trials not backed by a shoe deal.

“Somebody should be fired, honestly. They’re dropping the ball and it’s gonna cost them more money to sign me. The price is going up almost by the week,” he said, laughing.

Hudgins is confident heading into the trials, though realistic about his chances. He’d have to run the race of his life to make top-three and qualify for Rio. But a top-five, top-seven finish - or sponsorship deal - is not at all out of the question, especially after a healthy year and a confidence-boosting run-in to Oregon.

“Things are falling into place,” he said. “I knew I was capable of these kinds of performances all along.”

This story was originally published June 27, 2016 at 4:20 PM with the headline "Rock Hill’s Brandon Hudgins headed to U.S. Olympic trials."