CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman senior Henry Crocker graduated on May 22nd, 2026, and in an interview with the Tribune, he shared his favorite track-and-field moment, plus what it was like being around some great teammates.
“My favorite track-and-field moment is when we went to state. It was filled with so much unity, and it was a fun atmosphere. I raced well in my events, getting a five-second PR in the mile, splitting the 2:00.01 in the 4×800, and getting to bond with my friends and teammates. Getting to see the support from my family and the community was the best feeling in the world,” Crocker said. “It was amazing. We’ve created such a strong culture, and this past season, I really feel like I’m a part of a brotherhood here.”
Henry was around an amazing coach, who played an enormous part in Henry’s journey to get to where he’s at right now. Henry took away a lot from his coach and his teammates.
“Coach Trent Dean has done an amazing job being not just a coach, pushing me to be a good athlete, but also, a mentor and a guide throughout my journey since the seventh grade. He’s always been the person I come to if I’m uncertain about training, or if I want to know about anything track-related, because he knows what he’s talking about. He’s very knowledgeable. They taught me lessons on accountability, character, discipline, and they also taught me how to grow as a whole person, not just an athlete.” Crocker said.
It wasn’t hard for Henry to talk about his favorite track-and-field race, and he will deeply miss competing in track-and-field at Cullman this upcoming year.
“The state championship 1600 I raced on Thursday, April 30th, 2026, was my favorite one ever. The first two and a half laps felt controlled, and there was a gap on the inside that my opponents were scared to take, because it could mean getting pushed off the track. I took the gap and held on until the last lap. I closed fast, as I passed multiple people at the very end,” Crocker said. “I will remember and miss getting to hang out with my teammates all day at school, then turn around and practice with them. The guys’ and girls’ teams got close this season, and we’d all go out to eat together for a team meal a few nights before a race to bond together.”
He talked about a couple of very important role models that he’s blessed to have in his life, and he will take away a lot during his career.
“My role models are my parents. My mom played golf in college, and she’s shown me how to really push myself in competition. My dad influences me heavily, from how I carry myself, to how I treat others. He teaches me how to treat people and handle difficult situations. I owe everything to God and to them,” he said. “It has fully molded who I am. I have learned how to honor others, regardless of their situation, and care for ‘teammates’, whether that means people that are also wearing the Cullman jersey, my friends on other teams, or those in need.”
Henry shared his favorite high school memory, and he was blessed to be a part of something special at Cullman.
“My favorite high school memory was getting third place in the 4×800. Our race was particularly competitive, because the two teams that beat us ran the no. 36 and the no. 44 times in the nation, and many other very good teams were in contention with us. We had gotten upset by some teams that should’ve never beaten us at the Sectional championships, but we didn’t let that phase us at all at state. Everyone on the team did what they needed to do, and I couldn’t be more proud of the squad I got to race with,” he said. “I only started going to Cullman in my seventh grade year. I’ve lived here all my life, but leading up to that point, I had tried some different schools in Cullman, but the second I got onto Cullman’s campus, I felt the difference. For the most part, the teachers actually care about what they do, and the standard of excellence is apparent in the classroom, on the track, and throughout the school.”
Henry leaned on some older teammates when he was young, and they helped him love doing track-and-field. He gave some advice to the students that will be starting high school in August.
“My role models in and outside of school were my parents and the older teammates I had when I was in middle school and ninth grade. In my ninth grade year, I got close with two upperclassmen, Andrue Barnett and David Manishirov, and I constantly looked up to them. They mentored me and made me love doing my sport,” he said. “My advice to them is to live in the moment, and believe in yourself. It’s very easy to get up in your head, and be afraid of what others think, but what always helped me the most is just focusing on having fun and taking yourself less seriously, while still getting work done in school and in extracurriculars.”
God has played a huge role during Henry’s time at Cullman, and he leans on a Bible verse to help him get through everyday life.
“My relationship with God has played a tremendous role in both academics and athletics. These years at Cullman High School have been both the best and hardest years of my life. Through these moments, I have seen the grace of God in so many different ways in victory and loss. God saw me in the worst times of my life, and I felt His presence. I have been given so many blessings from Him, and I am very grateful. As time moves on, I know that His love will stay constant forever and will guide me,” he said. “My favorite Bible verse is James 1:12: ‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.’ This verse was so influential to me, because it showed me how all trials of my life will come to pass, and that God gives me strength in time of doubt. Because of this, I know that God would not test me if He knew that I could not accomplish what’s in front of me.”
Being a role model for the younger kids is so important to Henry, and he will take away so much from being a Bearcat.
“It’s crazy to think about how I am now who people look up to on the track. Now being an older athlete that some might look up to, it is so important to be a good role model for them. I always try my best to be friendly to my competitors and other athletes I meet,” he said. “What I will take away from being at Cullman is that you only lose when you give up. What really made me have a productive season this year is believing that I could. I never had any doubt this year in my ability to score good on tests or run well in races, and it worked.”
