Randolph Ross Runs 33.80 For NC 300m State Record

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LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA--Randolph Ross (Garner) threw down an incredible 300m in 33.80 seconds at the VA Showcase on Friday.  While the AAU section after was expected to be the fastest of the event, Ross ran in the fastest heat of the invitational section.

Ross spent last week on a cruise, so he wasn't entirely sure what kind of shape he was in without an ideal week of training leading up to the VA Showcase. However, Ross said he knew the state record was 33.84 seconds and the goal remained to break that.

Being a star high jumper and sprinter, he said he rarely got to race a 300m with fresh legs. Ross said he knew a big thing would be that he needed to get out fast if he were going to run a fast mark, and he knew it was something he could improve on.  

A short time prior to his race on Friday, Ross' sister, Jonah Ross, ran a US No. 3 and NC No. 3 all-time effort of 38.64 -- that was all he needed to get pumped up for his race.

Ross said things went as planned and he got out well. However, it seemed as if the whole heat was pretty even as he went around the track. Ross was in Lane 3, and Lane 2 had looked to be closing in on him throughout the race, while lanes 3-4-5-6 looks relatively even.  

When the field hit 100 meters, Ross turned it on to the next level, almost making up the distance to Lane 4 in a few steps on the curve. On the homestretch, Ross trailed Tahje Flemming (Benjamin Bannaker Academy, NY), but he was able to move past him and cross the line in first overall. 

Recently, Ross' closing speeds in the longer sprints have been incredible -- including his 500m back in December at the NCRunners Holiday Invitational.   

Ross said that he felt really good and to me didn't look all that tired after the performance when we spoke with him. He was glad to get in a fresh 300m in comparison to when it's his third or fourth event to close out a meet.

The boys 300m open with former National Record holder Tyrese Cooper was right after Ross' race. But Ross' time held up as the fastest mark of the weekend, with Anthony Brodie's 34.09 winning the AAU event.

Ross will compete on Day 2 in the invitational high jump, where he said his goal is 6-10 or 7-0, but he added that hasn't had a ton of high jump practice, as they just brought the mats back outside at Garner.

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North Carolina All-Time 300m List

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