Impact
Records
Colin Sahlman
Newbury Park High School
Impact Statement
“Colin Sahlman proved to be the best runner on the best cross country team in U.S. history, but there’s a lot more to his season than that,” says Doug Binder, Dyestat.com Editor-in-Chief.
Biography
Sahlman is considered the nation’s best long distance runner. In the fall, he won California Division 1 state championship in cross country along with the gold medal at the national championships. For those performances, he was named Gatorade’s National Player of the Year in cross county.
During the Spring, he had the fastest high school times in the 1,500-, 3,000- and 3,200-meter races. In February, he became just the 13th high school to run a mile in under four minutes.
On May 28, he ran the third fastest mile ever by a high schooler. The future Northern Arizona University runner did it at the prestigious Prefontaine Classic in Oregon. His time was 3:56.24, which placed him ahead of 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Clayton Murphy.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
James Hillhouse High School
Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
championship.
Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
championship.
Michele Moore
James Hillhouse High School
Impact Statement
Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
championship.
Biography
Moore, who coaches with her husband, Gary Sr., led the boys’ program to its third Open state
championship. Between Michele and Gary, who coaches the girls’ team, they’ve won 44 state titles.
In addition to the Open title, Moore also led the team to the Southern Connecticut Conference
championship during the 2022 season.
During the 2021-22 indoor season, Hillhouse finished second in the state.
Photos
Hoover High School
Hinds boasts more than 40 State Championships in his illustrious career.
Hinds boasts more than 40 State Championships in his illustrious career.
Devon Hind
Hoover High School
Impact Statement
Hinds boasts more than 40 State Championships in his illustrious career.
Biography
After leading Hoover to a third straight 7A state championship last month, Hind announced he was retiring. Hind led the boys’ and girls’ programs since 2003. During his time Hind won 42 state championships between Track & Field and cross country.
Twice, Hind has been selected as the U.S. Track & Field and Cross County Coaches Association’s National Boys’ Coach of the Year. He was also selected as the organization’s girls’ Coach of the Year in 2013.
Photos
Records
Murrieta Mesa High School
Ballou built the Murrieta Mesa program from the ground up as their first and only coach since the school opened in 2009.
Ballou built the Murrieta Mesa program from the ground up as their first and only coach since the school opened in 2009.
Aaron Ballou
Murrieta Mesa High School
Impact Statement
Ballou built the Murrieta Mesa program from the ground up as their first and only coach since the school opened in 2009.
Biography
Ballou led Murrieta Mesa to its first-ever CIF state team championship earlier this month.
Ballou built the program from the ground up as the first and only coach the school has ever had since opening in 2009. Murrieta Mesa won the team title with 35 points, led by its 1,600-meter relay team that won the gold with a time of 3-minutes 10-point-86 seconds. This was the best time in the nation this past season.
Ballou, who also coaches the school’s cross country program, was also named the HSGameTime Track and Field Coach of the Year. He was also named the MileSplitCA Coach of the Year in Track & Field.
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Records
Professional Achievements
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Alex Armenteros has built both the boys’ and girls’ programs at St. Thomas Aquinas into national powers.
Alex Armenteros has built both the boys’ and girls’ programs at St. Thomas Aquinas into national powers.
Alex Armenteros
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Impact Statement
Alex Armenteros has built both the boys’ and girls’ programs at St. Thomas Aquinas into national powers.
Biography
Alex Armenteros has built both the boys’ and girls’ programs at St. Thomas Aquinas into national powers.
In 2013-14, both squads won their respective Florida Class 3A/4A state championships. This year’s boys’ title was the fourth in the last five years for the Raiders.
Prior to being honored, his boys’ teams won four additional state titles including three consecutive from 2010-2012.
Since being honored Armenteros has continued that success. His girls’ teams have gone on to claim another three state championships, including two straight in 2018 and 2019. The team took second in 2017. That brings his girls’ medals to five golds and two silvers.
Photos
Records
North Rowan High School
Steele led his teams to 15 State Championships over the course of his storied career.
Steele led his teams to 15 State Championships over the course of his storied career.
Robert Steele
North Rowan High School
Impact Statement
Steele led his teams to 15 State Championships over the course of his storied career.
Biography
Robert Steele has had an incredible career at North Rowan that has seen him win 15 NCHSAA state championships, including a runner-up finish this past season.
From 1994 through 1998, North Rowan won five straight state championships. He’s a member of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Additionally, he was named as one of the 100 Coaches to Remember during the NCHSAA’s centennial in 2013.
in 2019 Steele was selected as part of the inaugural class of the North Carolina High School Track and Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Livingstone College Sports Hall of Fame and the Salisbury-Rowan Sports Hall of Fame.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Hopkins High School
“Every year, I would look at that record board and say, ‘I want my name to be up there.’” – Joe Fahnbulleh
“Every year, I would look at that record board and say, ‘I want my name to be up there.’” – Joe Fahnbulleh
Joe Fahnbulleh
Hopkins High School
Impact Statement
“Every year, I would look at that record board and say, ‘I want my name to be up there.’” – Joe Fahnbulleh
Biography
Fahnbulleh closed-out his scholastic career by defending his 200 meter dash Class AA state title, plus he anchored the school’s 4 X 200 meter relay team that won its second straight state gold medal. The relay team broke its own state record with a winning time of 1 minute, 25.66 seconds. Fahnbulleh, who will attend the University of Florida on a scholarship, was named Mr. Track and Field by the sport’s coaches association.
“The (Florida) coaches didn’t just only care about my athletic ability, they cared about me as a human. I see coaches at UF as the father figures I never had in my life. That’s why I chose Florida,” Fahnbulleh said. Fahnbulleh, who fled Liberia (Africa) with his family during a coup, said education is very important, “My mom says nobody can take away your education. Opportunities are there. Most people see them but don’t take them; I act on my opportunities.”
As a freshman, Fahnbulleh competed in five events for the Gators and earned USTFCCCA Indoor All-America honors in the 200m. He was also named USTFCCA All-Academic.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Bel Air High School
McDermott tallied five state tiles while at Bel Air. He looks to continue his success at Princeton.
McDermott tallied five state tiles while at Bel Air. He looks to continue his success at Princeton.
Kieran McDermott
Bel Air High School
Impact Statement
McDermott tallied five state tiles while at Bel Air. He looks to continue his success at Princeton.
Biography
McDermott won three gold medals this spring in Maryland’s 3A state championships. He won the 800 and 1,600 meter races. His 800-meter time of one-minute 59-point-90 seconds set a Maryland state record. McDermott also anchored the gold medal winning 4X800 meter relay team.
McDermott, who earned a 3.87 GPA in the classroom, will continue his running career at Princeton University.
McDermott competed in a handful of events his freshman year for the Tigers.
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Records
Personal Honors
John F. Kennedy High School
“I kind of just focus on myself. Try not to psych myself out too much by looking at other people’s times, so I just kind of focus on myself.”
“I kind of just focus on myself. Try not to psych myself out too much by looking at other people’s times, so I just kind of focus on myself.”
Chad Zallow
John F. Kennedy High School
Impact Statement
“I kind of just focus on myself. Try not to psych myself out too much by looking at other people’s times, so I just kind of focus on myself.”
Biography
Chad Zallow is a two-time Ohio state champ in the 110-meter hurdles. He also won state gold twice in the 60-meter indoor hurdles, including this year when he won with the third fastest time in United States history.
During the 2015 outdoor season, Zallow had the best time in the nation in the 110 hurdles with a time of 13.50 seconds.
Zallow continued to excel at Youngstown State University. Zallow was honored with multiple All American accolades, including First Team honors for his performance as a sophomore and junior at the Indoor NCAA Championships. He also earned Second Team honors three times. He was named the 2017-18 Youngstown Athlete of the Year.
Zallow is now pursuing his career outside YSU with his sights set on the next Olympic Games.
Photos
Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Cherryville High School
Trentavis Friday is one of the most decorated athletes to come out of Cherryville, North Carolina.
Trentavis Friday is one of the most decorated athletes to come out of Cherryville, North Carolina.
Trentavis Friday
Cherryville High School
Impact Statement
Trentavis Friday is one of the most decorated athletes to come out of Cherryville, North Carolina.
Biography
Trentavis Friday captured three individual state championships and anchored his school’s gold medal winning 4X400 meter relay at the North Carolina Class 1A state championship meet.
Friday captured gold in the 100, 200 and 400-meter runs. His time of 10.17 seconds in the 100 and 20.33 in the 200 were the best times in the nation this past school year. When he’s not dashing his way through the competition, Friday donates his time to the First Wesleyan Church’s feed-the-homeless initiative.
Friday will attend Florida State University. Friday is the first North Carolina athlete to be honored as the NHSCA’s Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
Friday attended FSU for one season before turning professional. In that one season, Friday was an NCAA Qualifier. He earned second-team All-American honors at the Indoor Championships.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Huntsville High School
Hill is a versatile athlete who had success in track & field and football.
Hill is a versatile athlete who had success in track & field and football.
Grant Hill
Huntsville High School
Impact Statement
Hill is a versatile athlete who had success in track & field and football.
Biography
Grant Hill won two gold medals at this year’s Alabama Class 6A Track & Field Championships.
Hill, who will attend the University of Alabama on a football scholarship, won the discus with a throw of 176 feet, 1 inch. Hill is ranked #2 in the nation in the discus and earlier in the season had a season-best throw of 203-7.
Hill also won the 6A shot put gold medal with a mark of 54.3.75.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Liberty-Eylau High School
Lawson has made a name for himself in every level. From high school, to Arkansas to the Olympic Games, Lawson continues to succeed.
Lawson has made a name for himself in every level. From high school, to Arkansas to the Olympic Games, Lawson continues to succeed.
Jarrion Lawson
Liberty-Eylau High School
Impact Statement
Lawson has made a name for himself in every level. From high school, to Arkansas to the Olympic Games, Lawson continues to succeed.
Biography
A two-time 3A state champion in the triple jump and the long jump, the 6-foot-1 Lawson set 3A records in both events in the state meet this spring. His winning triple jump of 51-10¼, nearly four feet better than the second-place jump, and his winning long jump of 25-8, which he won by 2½ feet, were 1½” and 3½” shy of the all-class state records, respectively. Both are the longest jumps in the nation this year according to dyestat.com.
Lawson was named the 3A Most Outstanding Athlete for the second straight year and helped the Leopards to a third-place state finish. As a sophomore, he finished fourth in the triple jump and was part of a state champion 4×400 relay team. A three-sport athlete, Lawson earned second-team All-State honors in football as a defensive back with five interceptions, and averaged 7.1 points as a guard on the basketball team.
Lawson finished third in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump at the AUU Junior Olympics last summer, and he was the gold medalist in the triple jump at the AAU Junior Olympics Intermediate in 2010. Also an outstanding student, the University of Arkansas recruit is ranked No. 11 in his class.
Lawson went on to have quite a career at Arkansas. He finished as a three time NCAA Champion, twice in the Indoor Long Jump and once in the 4x100m. He also was a two time Runner-Up in the Indoor and Outdoor Long Jump as a junior. He earned 15 All America statuses. In addition, Lawson held a 4.0 GPA.
Since graduating, Lawson continues to train and compete for Team USA. As a 2016 Olympic Team Member, he placed 4th in the Long Jump. In 2017, he placed 1st in the Long Jump at the US Championships. He then finished 1st in the US Indoor Championships in 2018. Lawson is keeping his eye on the 2021 Olympic Games.
Photos
Records
Personal Honors
Santa Fe High School
Nixon capped a record-smashing senior year by winning four events to lead Santa Fe to the 6A state team title, the school’s first since 1997.
Nixon capped a record-smashing senior year by winning four events to lead Santa Fe to the 6A state team title, the school’s first since 1997.
Gunnar Nixon
Santa Fe High School
Impact Statement
Nixon capped a record-smashing senior year by winning four events to lead Santa Fe to the 6A state team title, the school’s first since 1997.
Biography
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Nixon capped a record-smashing senior year by winning four events to lead Santa Fe to the 6A state team title, the school’s first since 1997. Nixon erased the oldest all-class record in the Oklahoma record book with a leap of 24-4½ to win the long jump. The previous record had stood since 1969.
Nixon also won the high jump (6-10) and swept the 110 (14.01) and 300 hurdles (37.58). No Oklahoma athlete of either gender had ever won state titles in all four events – and Nixon did it in a single state meet. It was Nixon’s second state title in the 300 hurdles – he won last year in 38.59 – and his second-place finishes in the long jump and the 110 hurdles helped Santa Fe finish second in state in 2010.
A two-time winner of the decathlon in the prestigious Arcadia (Calif.) Invitational, Nixon established a national high school record in the event at Arcadia in April. Despite going scoreless in the shot put due to fouls, Nixon established personal bests in the 400 and the long jump and finished with an official total of 7,524 points, 58 more than the previous record set in 2009. His original total of 7,577 points was adjusted due to his best long jump being wind-aided. The record earned the University of Arkansas signee Athlete of the Week honors from USA Track and Field.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Gresham High School
Crouser knows how to throw a javelin. He was a 2 time State Champ, a 2 time NCAA Champ, and was a 2016 Olympic Team member.
Crouser knows how to throw a javelin. He was a 2 time State Champ, a 2 time NCAA Champ, and was a 2016 Olympic Team member.
Sam Crouser
Gresham High School
Impact Statement
Crouser knows how to throw a javelin. He was a 2 time State Champ, a 2 time NCAA Champ, and was a 2016 Olympic Team member.
Biography
On May 1 the 6-foot-5 240-pound Crouser set a national high school record in the javelin, unleashing a throw of 244 feet, 2 inches at the Centennial Invitational on his home field. A two-time 6A state champion in the event, Crouser set a state meet record with a throw of 239-1 as a junior. He also finished second in the shot put last year – to his cousin, Ryan Crouser, a junior and candidate for Senior Athlete of the Year honors next year – and fourth as a sophomore.
Sam Crouser also finished third in the discus the past two years and owns the nation’s best performance in that event this spring, a throw of 205 feet, 10 inches that broke Ryan’s state meet record by more than four feet. Next year Crouser will begin a second generation of track and field tradition at the University of Oregon. His father, Dean, won three NCAA titles, and still holds the school records in the shot put and discus; his uncle, Brian Crouser, won the NCAA javelin title in 1982 for Oregon, and was a two-time Olympian in 1988 and 1992.
Crouser continued in his family’s footsteps. He was a two time NCAA Outdoor National Track & Field Champion in the javelin. He was also a four time Pac-10 Champ.
In 2012 Crouser was the runner-up at the Olympic Trials. He continued to throw and made Team USA twice. HE competed at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China. He also competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Photos
Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Buena Vista High School
“You have to develop a technique that plays to your tools. It’s all physics. You can’t throw the discus with just heart. It’s speed times power. Energy and all of that.”
“You have to develop a technique that plays to your tools. It’s all physics. You can’t throw the discus with just heart. It’s speed times power. Energy and all of that.”
Mason Finley
Buena Vista High School
Impact Statement
“You have to develop a technique that plays to your tools. It’s all physics. You can’t throw the discus with just heart. It’s speed times power. Energy and all of that.”
Biography
The three-time Class 3A double state champion – in the discus and the shot put – set a national high school discus record April 25 with a throw of 236 feet, 6 inches in the High Altitude Challenge at Alamosa. The 6-foot-8, 330-pound Finley, committed to UCLA, set five state meet records, and all three discus state title performances were record-setters. After finishing seventh as a freshman, a toss of 186-10 as a sophomore bettered the defending state champion by 19 feet and gave him his first title.
Finley moved from Salida High to Buena Vista his junior year and set a pair of state records, throwing the discus 211-6 and the shot put 64-9’½. He also took the Nike Outdoor discus title. Last weekend Finley ended his high school career with two more state records – 214-1 in the discus and 67-10¼ in the shot put, the latter breaking not only his own 3A record, but the all-class record which had stood for 27 years. His personal best shot put, 71-3’½, is the 10th-best high school throw of all time.
Finley attended the University of Kansas for three years before transferring to the University of Wyoming. Over the course of his college career he placed in the top six at the NCAA Championships (Indoor and Outdoor).
Finley was an Olympic Team Member in 2016, placing 11th in the discus throw. In 2017 Finley was a Bronze Medalist at the World Championships in London, England, winning the first United States medal in this event in many years.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Sandy Creek High School
“The excitement of the big championships is what excites me and my fire and passion is unchanged”
-Christian Taylor
“The excitement of the big championships is what excites me and my fire and passion is unchanged”
-Christian Taylor
Christian Taylor
Sandy Creek High School
Impact Statement
“The excitement of the big championships is what excites me and my fire and passion is unchanged”
-Christian Taylor
Biography
Taylor has starred on tracks from Georgia to the Czech Republic. He earned the maximum 35 team points in the Class 3A state championships for the second year in a row, leading Sandy Creek to its second straight team title. Taylor set all-class state records in the triple jump (52-6½) and the long jump (25-6), becoming the first Georgia high school athlete to clear 25 feet. He also set a 3A state record in the 400 (46.60) and anchored his team’s winning 4×100 and 4×400 relays, all repeat wins.
The University of Florida commitment also won all three individual events at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships. In the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Youth Championships, Taylor became the first American ever to win the triple jump with a final-attempt leap of 15.98 meters (52-5’¼) and added the bronze medal in the long jump.
While at Florida, Taylor has an illustrious career. He was a three time NCAA National Champion, winning the Indoor Triple Jump in 2009 and won both the Indoor and Outdoor Triple Jump in 2010. He won eight SEC Championship titles. His junior year he was named the SEC Men’s Field Athlete of the Year. Taylor left Florida to turn professional before his senior year.
Internationally, Taylor has excelled at the Triple Jump. He has two Gold Medals from the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He has won four World Championships as well.
Taylor also was dominant in the Diamond League, which is the professional circuit for Track & Field, from 2012-2017, winning six titles.
Photos
Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Colts Neck High School
Forys has been breaking state and national records since he began his high school career.
Forys has been breaking state and national records since he began his high school career.
Craig Forys
Colts Neck High School
Impact Statement
Forys has been breaking state and national records since he began his high school career.
Biography
Forys has been breaking state and national records since he began his high school career when he established national indoor freshman records in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. He has won six Meet of Champions individual state titles – three indoor and three outdoor – and as a junior became only the second runner ever to win both the 1,600 and 3,200 in the outdoor Meet of Champions, scoring a double title in the indoor season as well.
At the West Chester (Pa.) Henderson Invitational May 4, Forys set three state records in one race – in the 3,000 meters (8:15.5), the 3,200 meters (8:46.04) and the two-mile run (8:48.99) – and he has run the nation’s fastest time in all three events this year. Also the two-mile champion in the Nike Indoor Nationals in March, he will attend the University of Michigan.
While a senior at Michigan, Forys was named to the second Team All-Big Ten and was awarded Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Photos
Articles
Records
California High School
“He’s wired differently than 99 percent of the other athletes out there.” -Mark Karbo,
California High School T&F Head Coach
“He’s wired differently than 99 percent of the other athletes out there.” -Mark Karbo,
California High School T&F Head Coach
David Klech
California High School
Impact Statement
“He’s wired differently than 99 percent of the other athletes out there.” -Mark Karbo,
California High School T&F Head Coach
Biography
Some consider the 6-foot-4 Klech the most versatile track athlete to come out of California since Olympic decathlon champions Bob Mathias (1948 and 1952) and Rafer Johnson (1960).
Last year, Klech won the state 300-meter hurdles title in 36.06 – the nation’s second-fastest time – and finished second in the 110 hurdles and third in the long jump. He also has cleared seven feet in the high jump. In April, Klech, the Nike Indoor Championship pentathlon gold medalist this year, won the 400 hurdles in the Stanford Invitational in a state-record 50.35 – the third-fastest time by any American this year – to earn Athlete of the Week honors from American Track and Field – Athletes Only magazine.
The UCLA recruit became the fourth Californian to win three boys events – and the first since 1967 – at the 2006 CIF Championships. He won the 300-meter hurdles with a 35.87 time.
Klech went on to attend UCLA his freshman year. He transferred to the University of Oregon for his last three seasons. He was named All Academic Team in 2009, 2010, and 2011. He was also the 2011 Capital One Academic All-America Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country First Team honoree.
As a senior, Klech finished 16th at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the decathlon. He also took 6th in the heptathlon during the Indoor Track Championships.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
James Logan High School
Craddock established himself as the nation’s top high school hurdler at James Logan High School.
Craddock established himself as the nation’s top high school hurdler at James Logan High School.
Kevin Craddock
James Logan High School
Impact Statement
Craddock established himself as the nation’s top high school hurdler at James Logan High School.
Biography
Craddock established himself as the nation’s top high school hurdler a year ago, leading James Logan High to the boys state track title by winning his second state title in the 110-meter hurdles (13.39) and adding the 300 hurdles (35.93), a race he won by more than a full second. Craddock also finished sixth in the 300 hurdles as a sophomore and seventh as a freshman. He was a finalist in the 110 hurdles his freshman year.
Heading into this summer’s National Junior Championships, his adjusted time of 13.74, run last July, is the best time in the event run at the Junior level in the past year, a level that also includes college freshmen. He will continue his career at UCLA.
Craddock continued to run while at UCLA but was sidelined with numerous injuries throughout his career; however, he still went on to win two PAC 10 titles. In 2010 Craddock made his professional debut.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Palm Bay High School
Carter excelled in both high school and college on the track.
Carter excelled in both high school and college on the track.
Xavier Carter
Palm Bay High School
Impact Statement
Carter excelled in both high school and college on the track.
Biography
Carter, also a football star at wide receiver, won the 100 (10.56), 200 (20.72) and 400 meters (45.44, state record) at the Florida “AAA” state meet for second year in a row. Carter ends his prep track career with nine state titles and will now run and play football at Louisiana State University.
Carter was a member of LSU’s Track and Football team. He was the NCAA Outdoor Runner up in the 200 meters and aided LSU by winning the 1600 meter relay his freshman year. As a sophomore he won the 400 meters during the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
He also played football for the Tigers and made an impact until he fractured his clavicle, prematurely ending his football career. Upon healing, Carter focused on Track.
He announced he would forgo his last two years of eligibility. Unfortunately, in 2007 he re- injured his knee.
Photos
Videos
Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Lewisville High School
Parker posted the nation’s fastest time in the 100-meter dash as a senior at Lewisville High.
Parker posted the nation’s fastest time in the 100-meter dash as a senior at Lewisville High.
Earvin Parker
Lewisville High School
Impact Statement
Parker posted the nation’s fastest time in the 100-meter dash as a senior at Lewisville High.
Biography
“Earvin Parker’s performance in the 100 and 200-meters this past year made the selection of him as the National High School Senior Track Athlete of the Year an obvious one ,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro.
Parker will begin a career at Texas Tech University after posting the nation’s fastest time in the 100-meter dash as a senior at Lewisville High. Parker’s time of 10.29 was over a tenth of a second faster than the next best time run by a high school athlete in 2003. Parker also turned in the nation’s second-fastest time in the 200-meters, a 20.7, which was just one-hundredth of a second behind junior Xavier Carter (20.69) of Palm Bay High School in Melbourne, Florida.
Photos
Records
Personal Honors
Leo High School
“I just go out and run my race.”
–Ryan Shields
“I just go out and run my race.”
–Ryan Shields
Ryan Shields
Leo High School
Impact Statement
“I just go out and run my race.”
–Ryan Shields
Biography
“Athletes like Ryan Shields are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best track athletes not only in the state of Illinois, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.”
A native of Jamaica, Shields was sent to Chicago to live with his father at age 9 and he overcame the culture shock and the stress of learning English to become one of the outstanding sprinters in Illinois high-school history. As a sophomore, Shields became just the second runner in state history to sweep the 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter dashes, and followed that with sweeps as a junior and senior as well. Though he competed in tiny Class A, his times were faster than the winning times in the big-school Class AA competition. He helped lead Leo to the Class A state title.
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Articles
Records
Westfield High School
Fraser was a three time state qualifier for Westfield before being appointment to United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Fraser was a three time state qualifier for Westfield before being appointment to United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
David Fraser
Westfield High School
Impact Statement
Fraser was a three time state qualifier for Westfield before being appointment to United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Biography
Fraser has excelled at Westfield High despite running cross country and track for only three years. He first attracted attention by qualifying for the state cross country tournament in the rugged Houston Class 5A district and region qualifying series, one of the nation’s outstanding distance running regions. He went on to qualify for the state meet three years, finishing 14th in the state championships as a senior.
“Athletes like David Fraser are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best runners not only in the state of Texas, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.”
Fraser was a standout youth baseball player prior to beginning his cross country and track career. In addition to his success in the outstanding Houston area, Fraser, who also ran the 1,600 and 3,200 meters for the Westfield High track team, competed in the prestigious Foot Locker North Carolina Juniors Race in Charlotte, N.C. and finished ninth out of 250 contestants.
Also an outstanding student, Fraser ranks in the top 10 per cent of his class academically and is a member of the National Honor Society. He also owns and operates his own lawn care service company. Fraser has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., where he will continue his track career.
As a senior at West Point, Fraser ran a personal best in the mile, with a time of 4:13.48 at the Armory Invitational in February of 2004.
Photos
Personal Honors
Lancaster High School
After 38 state champions (boys and girls, indoor and outdoor), many more Section VI champions, Carriero leaves behind a legacy at Lancaster High School.
After 38 state champions (boys and girls, indoor and outdoor), many more Section VI champions, Carriero leaves behind a legacy at Lancaster High School.
Kevin Carriero
Lancaster High School
Impact Statement
After 38 state champions (boys and girls, indoor and outdoor), many more Section VI champions, Carriero leaves behind a legacy at Lancaster High School.
Biography
After nearly a half-century of coaching track and field at Lancaster, Carriero stepped-down as the head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ teams. He’s coached 38 state champions (boys and girls, indoor and outdoor), many more Section VI champions, nearly 30 boys’ division-title winning teams (outdoor and indoor) and 17 girls division team winners.
About a week ago, Carriero told WKBW-TV, “I pinch myself sometimes and say, how can anybody be so lucky, to be in a community and in a group of people for so long and be like brothers? I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”
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Spring Valley High School
“Someone told me one time you can’t coach as a job. You coach as a hobby. Track and cross country have been pastimes I want to do.” -John Jones
“Someone told me one time you can’t coach as a job. You coach as a hobby. Track and cross country have been pastimes I want to do.” -John Jones
John Jones
Spring Valley High School
Impact Statement
“Someone told me one time you can’t coach as a job. You coach as a hobby. Track and cross country have been pastimes I want to do.” -John Jones
Biography
John Jones has spent his entire career at Spring Valley High School, leading the school to five South Carolina state championships with 11 state runner-up finishes.
In 2007, Jones was inducted into the South Carolina Track Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2009, he was honored by being inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.
Jones is the first coach from South Carolina to be honored as the NHSCA Boys’ Track & Field Coach of the Year.
Jones retired at the conclusion of the 2018 season after 39 years. He leaves behind a legacy with five Track & Field and one Cross Country State Championships.
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Professional Achievements
Wayzata High School
Berndt and his Wayzata team have dominated Track & Field in Minnesota.
Berndt and his Wayzata team have dominated Track & Field in Minnesota.
Aaron Berndt
Wayzata High School
Impact Statement
Berndt and his Wayzata team have dominated Track & Field in Minnesota.
Biography
Berndt and his program are going after their third Minnesota state team championship in June 2016.
In May, Berndt led his program to its fourth straight Minnesota True Team Championship. What a turn around from his first season as a coach where the team finished second to last in the conference, and then following year not qualifying anyone for state for the first time since 1972. After a refocus on the team aspect, nothing has stopped Wayzata and Coach Berndt.
Since being honored in 2016, Berndt and Wayzata continue their successful ways. The team won a state title in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, they were the State True Champs. In 2019, they finished 2nd overall.
Over the last 15 years, Berndt has coached a total of 17 event MN State Champions and 220 Minnesota All-State student-athletes.
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Professional Achievements
Canyon High School
“Use your talent and run then it will pan out.” -Norman Grimes, Jr.
“Use your talent and run then it will pan out.” -Norman Grimes, Jr.
Norman Grimes
Canyon High School
Impact Statement
“Use your talent and run then it will pan out.” -Norman Grimes, Jr.
Biography
While Norman Grimes scholastic career came to an end before trying to defend his UIL Class 5A 300 meter hurdles title, he still is the #1 hurdler in America. Grimes’ suffered a hamstring injury and had to drop-out of the UIL regionals thus preventing him from qualifying for the state championships.
At the 2015 World Youth Championships in Columbia, Grimes won the gold medal in the 400m hurdles. Grimes will be continuing on to Texas Tech in the fall.
Grimes went on to be a three time NCAA Qualifier. In 2019, Grimes became a USTFCCCA First Team All American. His performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships clinched the team title for Texas Tech by running a 48.71 PR for a school record. The sub 49 is the fifth best time in the world.
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Personal Honors
The Woodlands High School
“When you have athletes with a lot of talent and a high work ethic great things can happen.” -Juris Green
“When you have athletes with a lot of talent and a high work ethic great things can happen.” -Juris Green
Juris Green
The Woodlands High School
Impact Statement
“When you have athletes with a lot of talent and a high work ethic great things can happen.” -Juris Green
Biography
Juris Green led the school to its second overall state championship in the spring, the first for the school since 1999. Green’s father was the head coach of the first state championship team.
This year’s team won the title with 60 points, which was four more than second place George Ranch. This year’s championship was won on the strength of nine athletes who qualified for the UIL state championships. Green’s athletes won four gold medals and one silver, plus the 4X200 relay team also captured gold. Green is also the head coach of the school’s cross-country program that won the state’s 6A state title in the fall.
It’s the first time that the same school has won cross country and track and field titles in the same year. Coach Green is the first coach from Texas to win the NHSCA National Boys’ Track and Field Coach of the Year Award.
Since being honored, Green continues to lead The Woodlands’ Track & Field and Cross Country teams. They have claimed six state championships in the past four and a half years as of the spring of 2020.
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Northeast High School
Damion Thomas capped an outstanding scholastic career by winning his third straight Florida 110 hurdles state title.
Damion Thomas capped an outstanding scholastic career by winning his third straight Florida 110 hurdles state title.
Damion Thomas
Northeast High School
Impact Statement
Damion Thomas capped an outstanding scholastic career by winning his third straight Florida 110 hurdles state title.
Biography
Damion Thomas capped an outstanding scholastic career by winning his third straight Florida 110 hurdles state title.
Thomas, who will attend LSU on a scholarship, was the No. 3-ranked sprint hurdler in the nation during the 2016-17 school year. Thomas, who was named Gatorade’s Track and Field Athlete of Year as a junior and a senior, also won a silver medal at the New Balance Indoor Nationals, plus won the sprint hurdles at the 2017 Texas Relays with a time of 13.43 seconds.
Thomas holds the 14 and 15-year old age group national record in the 110 hurdles. Thomas is the second athlete from Florida to win the NHSCA Senior Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year Award.
Thomas made an impact right away at LSU. He was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team and the SEC Indoor Freshman Runner of the Year. He is a five time NCAA All-American and was the NCAA Champion in 2021 in the 60m hurdles.
In 2018, Thomas was the U20 World Champion in the 110m Hurdles. He was an Olympian in Tokyo in 2020.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Pearl High School
Barnett is one of the most successful track and field and cross country coaches in Mississippi history.
Barnett is one of the most successful track and field and cross country coaches in Mississippi history.
Woody Barnett
Pearl High School
Impact Statement
Barnett is one of the most successful track and field and cross country coaches in Mississippi history.
Biography
In a 34-year teaching and coaching career, Barnett has become one of the most successful track and field and cross country coaches in Mississippi history.
A Jackson native and a graduate of Mississippi College, Barnett has coached Pearl to 43 state team championships in cross country and track, most recently back-to-back boys track and field state titles in 2011 and 2012. His boys cross country teams most recently won three straight state titles from 2008-10, two in 4A and the last in 5A. He has coached 145 individual state champions in the two sports.
Barnett also has served as Pearl’s athletic director since 1997, and the school’s programs have won 45 state championships in all sports during his tenure. Inducted into the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Hall of Fame in 2008, Barnett was honored both as its Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year and its Athletic Director of the Year in 2011.
He is an eight-time MAC Coach of the Year in cross country and track and field. The Jackson Clarion-Ledger has named Pearl the recipient of the 5A All-Sports Award four times during Barnett’s tenure. The National Federation of State High School Associations named Barnett National Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2004, and he was named Gill Athletics Southeast Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year by USA Track and Field in 2011.
Barnett retired in 2013 after a 36 year career that boasted 43 MHSAA State Championships in Track & Field and Cross County.
In May of 2016, Barnett was selected to be the first Executive Director of the Mississippi Athletic Administrators Association (MAAA). As of 2020, Barnett still maintains his position working towards gaining attraction and bringing Athletic Director’s together.
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