Hope fuels Reading’s Justin Walker as he soars to great heights

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

Justin Walker didn’t make Reading High’s basketball team as a sophomore. He wasn’t cut. He quit.

A lifelong health issue complicated matters. Walker was born with a heart condition called left ventricular noncompaction. He was afraid he couldn’t handle the grueling practices that are the Red Knights’ trademark.

“I didn’t know if I was able to do it,” he said. “I went through a lot of emotional lapses.”

Sports have always come with a higher level of anxiety for Walker. He was prohibited from playing for two years when he was in elementary school and wasn’t allowed to play football because of the physical contact.

Despite those obstacles, Walker has carved out a decorated career. It started when he returned to basketball and it has continued through track and field.

Walker won a silver medal in the Class 3A triple jump at the District 3 championships at Shippensburg last week. He’s tied for the fifth-best qualifying distance at the PIAA meet, which begins Friday.

Track came into Walker’s view later than other sports. It was a natural fit because he could more easily manage his workload. He planned to compete as a sophomore but lost that season to COVID. He tried the triple jump for the first time last year and placed ninth at districts.

Walker has soared the past few weeks. The senior reached 45-8 at districts to surpass his personal best by 14 inches.

A state medal is in his sights.

“I had a lot of energy and I realized that’s something I need,” Walker said. “I’m normally an overthinker.

“I try to stay as calm as possible, think about what I’ve got to do and just focus on that. I did more than what I expected.”

Track coach Chris Yeshulas gave Walker a brief introduction to the triple jump before a dual meet against Gov. Mifflin 13 months ago.

The instructions basically came down to . . . hop, step and jump.

Walker reached 40-10 that first try and won the meet. This gradually became his best event.

“He’s been a champ,” Yeshulas said. “That’s the neat thing with kids who have had challenges from when they were little. They’re tougher when they get older and are competing in things. They develop a mettle.”

Basketball was always Walker’s favorite sport. His athletic life was revived while playing in the park with some of Reading’s assistant coaches. They convinced him to give hoops another chance.

Walker was cleared by his doctor to participate. He needed to overcome the mental roadblock. He talked it over with coach Rick Perez and decided to attend workouts.

“From there I had the mindset to keep going instead of giving up again,” Walker said. “I didn’t think I could do it. I was overthinking it. I grew out of that. I’ve been looking at a lot of things differently.”

Walker made the cut as a junior and played limited minutes off the bench for the PIAA championship team. He appeared in 28 games and averaged 5.2 points for the Red Knights as a senior.

Track has been Walker’s focus this spring and could be down the line. He plans to attend IUP and hopes to walk on to the track team. 

The rewards and honors he has collected are even more impressive given all he’s been through. Two district golds and one state gold in basketball. A cherished district silver in track.

“The lesson I’ve learned is not to give up and to have hope,” Walker said. “If you have hope it gets you through a lot of things.”

It can even get you onto the medal stand.