21. Austin Kratz wins an indoor national title in the 200m at NBNI
Doubting Austin Kratz would be your first mistake. Giving up on him would be your second mistake.
Austin Kratz used his "competitive edge" on the homestretch to power past top seed and US No. 1 Eric Allen Jr. of the Bullis School (MD) in the final of the championship boys 200 meters at New Balance Nationals Indoor on Sunday. Kratz clocked a time of 21.01 to break his own Pennsylvania sate record and slot himself in at No. 8 on the all-time national list.
Kratz neither doubted himself, nor gave up on himself once he got on the line in a very competitive final at The Armory in New York City.
"I think if you ever go into a race thinking you're not going to win it, you're not going to win it," the still-unsigned Dock Mennonite senior said. "They are just such amazing runners -- they've beaten me before, I've beaten them before -- but just being able to race them again, and for them to push me that much, I thought I had a chance.
"I told myself right before I ran, 'I can do this.'" -- Dan Beck
-- Race recap