Cam Viney departed last week departed to Oregon one last time to compete in the track and field national championships in Eugene. This appearance was however vastly different for the lanky 6-foot-3-inch, broad-shouldered West Virginia native as he spent the trip without any other teammates – he alone qualified in the 400-meter hurdles – as he would soon become the final departing sprinter from the class of 2016.

The only difference being, the rest had already left the team before the season had even begun, making Viney the lone senior among a relatively younger group.

During the nationally televised event, Viney jumped out to an early lead out of lane three in his semifinal heat but was unable to hold off the pack and Eric Futch, the eventual champion, as Viney was outpaced in the last leg of the race. He finished the race with a time of 50.73 seconds, and although would not qualify for the finals, received Second-Team All-American recognition for his 10th overall finish.

In his tenure at Illinois, Viney was a six-time All-American and a three-time Big Ten Champion, etching his name into the record books with the third fastest 60-meter hurdle and 110-meter hurdle times in program history along with fourth-fastest mark in the 400-meter hurdles.

Late Wednesday evening, in the midst of packing for a visit to his sister in Los Angeles, Viney allowed me to interview him at his now relatively bare apartment.

WG: How was the experience out in Oregon with Coach Wheatley?

CV: It was a bummer no one else got to go but it was an eye-opening experience since typically there is a large group that makes it to nationals. I think it put fire in him as a coach to bring out a large group next year. It was a great experience for my last meet ever at the school and spending it with Coach Wheatley made all the difference. He’s the humblest, incredible, inspirational coach that I’ve ever had and I think he’s one of the greatest in the country for sprints and hurdles. It was special getting to embrace that last week together and since it was one-on-one we both got to focus our attention on each other instead. It’s funny, I actually started sarcastically calling him “Dad” during the week.

WG: Could you take me through what your thoughts are about your final heat?

CV: Before the race, I decided I was going to leave everything on the track because I knew it could be my final race and I didn’t want to ever have to look back and wish I did something differently or ran a little harder. I went out a little hot but I thought I could maintain it. The burning out at the end just has to do with my training and maybe it would have been a little different had I tapered down more or listened differently to Coach Wheatley – nothing had to do with his coaching. I gave it my all but I didn’t have that kick in the final 60 meters.

WG: What it’s like for you now that your track career is over?

CV: I cried for a good 40 minutes after I ran… It didn’t really hit me until I was in a booth afterward and another guy from Nebraska pointed it out to me along with a coach from Minnesota saying, “Cam it’s been a pleasure watching you for the last four years and it’s sad that it’s your last meet.” After hearing him say that, I wept. It was so sad thinking about how the event and sport I’ve been doing since 6th grade is over and I’m done. Coach Wheatley came up but he also gave me some time. Everyone, especially my family, was trying to talk to me but I just needed some time to myself so I could process it. I cried talking to my mom on the phone later but I think I needed to begin to accept that after four great years it’s ok to let go and move on since it’s been such an awesome experience.

WG: Would you ever consider coaching track?

CV: I totally miss it now more than I thought I would and it’s only been a week since I ran. It’s hard to accept there’s no more training sessions or lifts with the team and my coaches being there to monitor what I’m doing. I’ve been trying to stick with it and go for some runs since it’s been who I am for so long so for that reason, I could definitely see myself coaching in the near future because track has given so much to me and I would love to give back and make another kid feel the same way I did.

WG: So what’s in store for you the rest of the summer?

CV: I’m going to try and have some me time after the constant schedule and program I’ve been on as a college athlete for the past four years. I’m going to go on a trip to visit friends and family before harnessing what I really want to do with the rest of my life and weigh whether what I intend to do is because it’s what my family wants or if it’s what I want. It’ll be cool to spend time with the Lord and decipher what I want to do with my future.

WG: You are studying abroad next year. Where are you going?

CV: I’m pumped to go to Sweden. I’ll be there from August through January. I think visiting new people and hearing about their lives will be a great experience for me. I’m enrolled in some classes about European culture and their law but what I’m really looking to learn is about life outside of America.

WG: And when you’re finished you’ll have graduated?

CV: I think technically I’m done in December but I won’t be done with their classes until January. Then it’ll be on to grad school.

WG: Do you plan to walk in the spring?

CV: I don’t know yet if I’ll come back. I’m still debating what to do in the gap semester before I start law school in the fall. I could very well have a job or internship. I’d love to stay in Europe and work for a human’s rights organization for 6-8 months before I resume school.

WG: Last question: is there anything else you would like to say about your tenure at Illinois?

CV: I would say I took a lot of it for granted. Looking back, I woke up not realizing there would come a day where I wouldn’t be with the guys or receiving coaching during our meets… Sorry, I’m getting a little emotional thinking about it. In a sense, they’ll always be there but I wish I would have invested more time into those guys. The time I spent with my band of brothers was quality time but college goes by fast and Division I sports go by even quick. Make the most of the time you get every day to be around people who share the same passions.