Several years ago, King’s Fork High School senior Hannah Hinson received some encouragement from her father, Richard Hinson, to participate in the throwing events for track and field.

He threw when he was in high school, and he told her, “You’re perfectly built to be a thrower.”

Later on, King’s Fork track and field coach Kisha Ricks added her encouragement to join the school team.

During her three and a half years of participation, Hinson has produced the school records in both the discus throw and the shot put. Soon, she will be setting school records at the college level, as well.

Last week, she made her commitment to compete at the NCAA Division II level for Wingate University during a signing ceremony at King’s Fork.

“She’s going to be an instant impact, because right now, her high school records are already better than their school records,” said KF shot put and discus coach Adrian Young on May 7. “She’ll be the premier athlete on deck, and then in the (South Atlantic) conference, she’ll probably be at the top.”

Hannah Hinson described her relationship with throwing that led her to where she is today.

“When I was a freshman, I started outdoor season, (had) never picked up a shot,” she said. “As soon as I did, I kind of fell in love with it, it was just something quick, and I just realized I wanted to do that for the rest of my life, ‘til I couldn’t anymore. I even want to go to the Olympic level, and I know with my college choice, that coach can get me there.”

Richard Hinson noted that Wingate throws coach Whitney Smyre fully expects his daughter “to come in and be a leader, and she thinks that (Hannah) can qualify for nationals for the next four years.”

Originally, Hannah Hinson seemed destined to sign with Pfeiffer University and coach Chris Wood. But when the money ended up not being available to add her to the Falcons, Wood went about finding her a new college home.

“He went above and beyond, he really did, because (Pfeiffer) had already offered her, but we didn’t sign anything,” Richard Hinson said. “We were just kind of waiting, and then he called and said, ‘Hey, we lost our funding, I can’t sign her. I’m going to talk to some other coaches that I know.’ So, he went to a meeting, talked to coach Whitney from Wingate, and she called that following week. She’d watched some video of Hannah and offered her a full scholarship.”

Hannah Hinson said, “What got me is that before she even met me, she offered full. She knew. So, I need that confidence in a coach to know that she knows what she can do with me.”

She said Smyre wants her to compete in the shot put, discus throw, hammer and weight throw, and “then she’s going to let me try out the javelin.”

Hinson, who also is receiving academic scholarship money, is considering majoring in health and physical education. She wants to be a teacher and a coach.

The trip to Wingate for Hinson’s parents is about four and a half hours, and Hinson’s mother, Donna Hinson, assured they already have plans to come and watch their daughter compete.

“I’m going to see her,” Donna Hinson said. “I’m so proud of her, I can’t stand it.”