Ongoing athleticism is clearly revealed in the long lists of Pro Football player and Olympian GWI alumni, but other skills surface as well – sometimes in the shape of other types of athleticism, as well as educational, organizational and creative skills. We are beginning to accumulate a list of these very talented GWI alums. If you know of anyone who competed at GWI and went on to showcase their unique talents, please email the GWI Website Content Manager.

Jim Walmsley Elite Ultra Running Athlete

• Jim competed as a Sophomore in the 3200m at the 2006 GWI (18th out of 22 with a time of 9:45.41), and returned in 2007 as a Junior (12th out of 19 in 9:44.6).
• Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run 2018, 2019, 2021 Champion and Course Record Holder (2019: 14:09:28).

Nicholas Sparks, novelist

• At the time he competed at the Golden West, “Nick” lived in Fair Oaks, CA and went to Bella Vista HS. At the 1984 GWI he ran the 800 meters in 1:53.58 for 5th place out of the 9 athletes in the finals. The prestige of the Golden West and his performance there along with his high school record helped him qualify for a trip to Japan to compete with other Americans at an Invitational meet there.
• This acclaimed writer of 22 novels (soon to be 23) now lives in North Carolina, where he has established the Nicholas Sparks Foundation. He has been a major donor to many charitable organizations and early in his presence there he also coached at his local high school track & field team and donated funds to help improve its program. In this Runner’s World interview he states “Without track and field, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he says. “It taught me discipline and perseverance and paid my way through college. It changed my life, and I want it to change these kids’ lives, too.”