- - -
Boys 100m
Looking something like a ninja out there,
Che Nwabuko of
Manor took control of the UIL 5A boys 100m race solidifying himself as not only one of the best in the state of Texas but in the nation as well.
The
University of Pittsburgh football signee looked so calm yet focused settling into his blocks. Blasting out of the blocks Che showed a strong yet relaxed form as the race was his from the start.
After the drive phase, the race was essentially over; Nwabuko destroyed his previous 10.23 PR to earn a new record for himself with a time of 10.17! Not only did he earn gold but this would also put him into the top 10 rankings for HS boys in the nation!
Kordarion Smith out of
Lancaster also showed true skill in the boys 100m race as he blazed through the second half of the race holding off many sub 10.5 runners to bring home the silver medal. He finished with a time of 10.39.
Also having an impressive performance was
DeKalon Taylor out of
Longview who earned the bronze medal with a time of 10.40.
- - -
Boys 200m
Today is was all
Che Nwabuko from
Manor. That's not to say he didn't have his challenges. We saw a photo finish race as these two seniors put on an absolute clinic right from the start of the race.
John Rutledge from
Dallas Highland Park was running with Nwabuko stride for stride but in the end it was all Che who was able to edge out the gold medal victory with a time of 20.53 which is also another big pr for the senior from Manor.
Despite a close finish, John Rutledge can go home happy claiming the silver medal with a time of 20.55.
- - -
Boys 400m
We saw seven young men run sub 49 in the UIL 5A finals. The one performance that stood out was the one who made an incredible late surge down the final stretch to claim gold. Cameron Chin out of Baytown Sterling ran a patient first 200m split and saw his opening to turn on the jets with a powerful yet fading Eric Hemphill from Brenham.
Hemphill, the defending 5A state champion ran an aggressive first 320m. Looking like he was going for a sub 46 race, the Texas A&M signee was clearly going for the gusto.
Chin's patience paid off as he was able to come through with a 47.05 earning himself a top spot on the podium for the 400m.
Second and third place came down to a photo finish between an exhausted Jonah Roberson from Royse City and Connor Mcgrath from San Antonio Alamo Heights. These boys battled all the way to the end but it was Roberson who would claim that second spot on the podium with a time of 48.01.
Connor Mcgrath would finish third with a time of 48.06.
Eric Hemphill helped push the race which undoubtedly help create some fast times for this race. He finished fourth with a time of 48.19.
