Texas State Meet — Century Showdown Ends With HSR

AUSTIN, TEXAS, May 01–03 — When Harlan (San Antonio) junior Tate Taylor shifted into hypersonic speed in the final 30m of the Class 6A 100 at the Texas state meet, leaving Duncanville’s Brayden Williams in his wake, there was a feeling he had just hit a gear no previous high school athlete ever had.

There was a feeling he had just won the greatest high school 100 ever.

After a few moments filled with anticipation, the biggest of dreams were confirmed in full.

The scoreboard flashed 9.92 with a legal wind of 1.1, ahead of Williams’ 10.01, and Taylor, a junior, became the new High School Record-holder. Williams became the =No. 3 prep 100 runner ever in a race where 10.18 placed 5th (the old state record was 10.13). The old HSR of 9.93 was set last year by Florida prep, now pro, Christian Miller.

“We were in the blocks, I talked to God,” Taylor said. “I was telling him before I got in the blocks, ‘I don’t care if I win, I’m part of history already because this race was really fast.’ I think the slowest PR in the field was 10.2, 10.3. I was telling myself to have fun, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, just go out and have fun.

“I’ve gone 10 before, but hitting 9 is a lot for me, especially as a junior, 17-years-old. I have another year of high school.”

The way Taylor did it was spectacular. For the first 60 meters all eyes were on lane 5, which Williams occupied. His windy all-conditions high school best 9.82 two weeks earlier in his regionals preim (he ran a windy 9.95 in the final) stamped him as the favorite in a field so loaded that Taylor, who owns the High School Indoor Record for 200 (20.46), was under the radar. That obviously wasn’t fair and Taylor pointed out after the race that he and Williams basically have a split record head-to-head.

As the stacked 100 final went past the midpoint, Williams was off to his usual flying start and led the race. Then Taylor accelerated with a burst that drew gasps and shocked yells from the large crowd — a gear, as it turns out, truly unlike any ever shown in a high school race.

“I know Brayden is an incredible starter,” Taylor said. “We’ve had multiple races, I’ve lost, he’s lost, we’ve gone back and forth. To be right next to him was really good, he pushed me. I love the competition.”

When Taylor hit the line all eyes…