A day for shining stars, Nimitz buries old memories
Austin – An ideal weather day for the final day of the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays was a welcomed site to over 6,407 track and field athletes from all over the country.
Nimitz 4×400 Meter Relay team were facing third place, a full 20 yards behind Lancaster’s Anfernee Robinson, when anchor leg DreVain Young made up the slack, crossing the finish line first and Beaumont Ozen’s Hurdler Tony Brown set a new record in the 110 High Hurdles at the 86th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on Saturday at Mike A. Meyers before an estimated crowd of 16,549.
The Cougars return three of its legs from a year ago where it finished 8th in the state meet.
Lancaster led after second leg Sherman Waters passed Celina’s Nathan Elliott and sped a good distance in front of the pack, for what looked to be a for sure win. Soon after, Young kick into gear, tracking down Elliot and Waters, passing both to give the Cougars the victory.
“It’s a mindset of redemption,” Nimitz 4×400 Meter Relay anchor leg DreVain Young said. We came here last year and got eighth. We just want to get that gold. We want to know that our hard work really did pay off. We got some experience out of it. We’re going to keep working; we have five more weeks left.”
“I was pleased with their fight. They trained hard. I see the training kicked in today,” said Nimitz coach, who admitted, his relay team showed grit because they were in a dog fight. They held on. We have to go back and finish some things but for the most part I’m proud of them.”
Kingwood was expected to challenge in the 4×400 Meter Relay but dropped the baton during its exchange between third and fourth leg. The previous week, the Mustang ran a state’s best (3:13) at the Rice Relays.
Top ranked Hurdler Tony Brown set a record in the 110 High Hurdler (13.38) besting the field in division II and placed fourth in the 100 Meter Dash (10.45).
“Since I’ve been running the hurdles at the age of nine, it’s been my goal of breaking the Texas Relays record and national record,” says Brown.
“I got out even with the guys and I pulled away at the end. I used my form,” added Brown. It was a good race. I feel good about it.”
“I got out really good in the 100 Meter Dash,” Brown said. I didn’t finish as strong as I wanted because of how close the 110 High Hurdles and 100 Meter Dash races are. It’s very challenging but that’s what I work for and what I wanted to do.”
The high school portion of the elite track meet was divided into two sections, division I and II, with top competitors competing in Division II.
Featuring five of the nation’s top high school boys 100 Meter Dash sprinters easily became one of the best races on the day. Cameron Burrell who won the race with an unofficial 10:07, entered with the third best time, Malik Summers fourth, Kyle Fulks fifth and Tony Brown the eighth.
As the day began, Burrell felt good about his race and had thoughts of beating his previous best of 10.25, which he did. The sky is the limit as long as he keeps working, and does his part, Burrell said.
“I tried to stay relaxed in the blocks and keep my composure,” added Burrell. I drove out pretty well, transitioned slow enough, got to my top end speed, tried to maintain it the hold way and exceled at the finish line. It was a fun race.”
Desoto earned outstanding honors while taking first in the 4×100 and 4×200 Meter relays without the help of Tremayne Acy, its anchor leg, for undetermined reasons. Also, finished third in the 4×400 Meter Relay.
Out of state teams shine in Texas
All the way from Fort Lauder Dale, Florida, St Thomas Aquinas high school girls 4×400 Meter Relay of Kendal Ellis, Krysten Golden, Krystal Sparling and Khalifa impressed the crowd. blistering the field with a time of (4:41). Narinah Jean-Baptist, Christine Kalis, Alon Lewis and Toria Levy teamed up; in taking the 4×800 Meter Relay (9:17.56)
The Raiders are especially known for its nationally ranked football team. It won national titles in 2008 and 10. Also, the alma mater of Michael Irvin.
Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort, III) won the 4×100, 4×200 Meter Relay with times of (46.59 and 1:37.55). Aaliyah Brown a sprinting sensation, who has left a nation mark since her sophomore year, won the 100 Meter Dash (11.63), beating Lancaster’s Eboni Coby’s (11.74).
A year ago Brown swept the 100 and 200 Meter Dash at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational in times of (11.48) and (23.96).
Invitational men
Darvis Patton competing for Nike stole electric from the crowd after separating himself 80 yards into the 100 Meter Dash, blazing a time of 9.75.
“I always like coming to the Texas Relays. The weather is good. I’ve been relaxed and the main thing, I’ve been healthy,” Patton said.
