High Schoolers

jacknyc

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
4,091
The announcer reminded us that Shinnick finished 2nd in the 200m and 3rd in the 400m at the CA State HS Champs, 2 years ago when he was a sophomore.
 

limitless

Mentor
Joined
Jul 21, 2012
Messages
696
While Damien (Ca.) High graduate Zach Shinnick accrued his fair share of accolades in California over the last few years, the University of Southern California signee blew up at the California Interscholastic Federation Track and Field Championships, winning his first state title in the 400m dash in 46.12 seconds. Just a week later, he exploded for a nation-leading mark at the distance at the USA Junior National Track and Field Championships, going 45.20 seconds against a murderer's row of opponents, including professional Josephus Lyles, Keller Fossil Ridge (Tx.) High graduate Sean Hooper and Decatur Lakeside (Ga.) High sophomore Brian Herron. With the automatic qualifier into the Pan American Juniors, and his first opportunity to don the Team USA uniform, Shinnick has some big plans. Check out how Shinnick is doing as he prepares for his big moment from July 21-23 in Trujillo, Peru.

Zach, congrats on making the USA Junior team for the Pan American Junior Championships in Peru. What's gone through your head since winning the 400m Junior Championships in Sacramento?

Thank you! Since winning the 400 I've just been focusing on my training for this upcoming meet in Peru.

Obvious question. What was your reaction and the public's reaction when you won the 400 meter run over Josephus Lyles, Sean Hooper and Brian Herron, among others?

I was not very surprised in winning the 400 against those great runners. I knew that I had great training in the weeks prior to the meet and I just had to go out there and put a good race together. My coaches and family were very excited about the race and are excited about future races to come.

Second most obvious question, what was your reaction when you realized you went 45.20?

I was very excited. It had always been a goal of mine to run low 45s by the end of the season and to be able to accomplish that makes me really happy.

Can you describe what happened in the 400m that allowed you to produce that time? Was there something you did differently, or was there a training leading up to that moment that really clicked?

Basically just my training during the prior weeks told me that I was ready to run fast. I was having some great workouts and I knew that if I put together a smooth and strong race that I would run something very fast.

What are your goals in Peru?

My goal for Peru is to win and to run 44.

This is a big moment for you, so what exactly will you hope to take away from the experience?

I just want to have a good time and meet new athletes that have some of the same goals in mind as me. I think this trip is a good stepping stone for future college meets and hopefully more meet representing team USA.



How will you use this opportunity to grow as an athlete/person before you head off to the University of Southern California?

All meets with USC are very big so being able to be a part of a big meet will help me gain more experience.

What was it like winning a CIF title after not even reaching the state championships in the event a year ago -- though you finished third in the 400m and second in the 200m in 2015

Winning CIF showed me that I can run with anyone in the country. It showed me that if I run my race I can beat anyone.

How unreal is dropping nearly two seconds from your PR of 47.19 as a sophomore? You ran three great times under 47 this year and were right on the cusp. Was it just icing to get 45.20 after a great senior season?

Pretty much, I ran a few 46s and I knew if I ran against some guys who consistently run 45 that I could be pushed to run even faster.

zach_shinnick.jpg

How would you describe your senior season in a nutshell?

My senior year has been very good to me. Although I started the year with a couple of injuries, I was able to battle through them and end up where I am today.

Can we expect to see you on this stage again in the future?

Most definitely, I plan on running for team USA many more times before my career is over

How do you see your career moving ahead in the next few years?

I'm going to start college at USC and see where t goes form there. Hopefully after a few years I will be ready to take the step of becoming a professional runner.

Congrats again, and best of luck!
 

jacknyc

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
4,091
Zach took 3rd at the Pan Am Jrs.
Unfortunately, he was not as in good shape as predicted.
Still, his time of 45.98 is pretty amazing for a HSer.
 

jacknyc

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
4,091
This HSer, Rocky Rainey, has graduated and is now at Oregon.
He finished third in the 200 meters and fourth in the 100 meters at the 2017 Texas 6A State Championships.
Apparently, he only recently became a sprinter.
Let's see how he does at Oregon.
 

jacknyc

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
4,091
Austin Kratz, mentioned above, set a PB and nation leading HS time in the 2oom this weekend - 21.23.
Looking forward to his outdoor season.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
8,973
Location
Arkansas
overlooked this spring has been Dallin Draper, first mentioned by jacknyc and now a senior at Delta High in Utah. he has the nation's top time in the 60-meters: 6.79. i know most high school kids don't run indoors, but that's still a strong time.

Draper, committed to run track at BYU, ran a 10.61 in the 100 and a 21.32 in the 200 last year as a junior outdoors.

 

Jimmy Chitwood

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
8,973
Location
Arkansas
a young man whom i've not seen mentioned is Kentucky's JP Vaught.

593c33cbd29f8.image.jpg


last year, as a sophomore, Vaught was the fastest sprinter in the state over both the 100 and 200, regardless of classification. he posted personal-bests of 10.65 in the 100 and 21.33 in the 200 ... again, as a sophomore!

additionally, despite attending multiple prestigious invitational events, the talented youngster was undefeated over the 100-meter distance and lost only once in the deuce.

he is certainly someone to keep an eye on moving forward.
 

white is right

Hall of Famer
Joined
Feb 16, 2006
Messages
10,022
Funny if you looked at him you would think he would be better at the deuce over the century but looks can be deceiving.
 

mastermulti

Master
Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
2,242
Location
Sydney Australia
This girl is 16 and has an 11.71.

and she was 2nd Australian home last night in 11.81 (-0.4) behind Kiwi Zoe Hobbs and winner Riley Day who is still 17.
I think both she and Riley are both too young and not yet developed enough to perform well in individual events against the top Commonwealth women - but being in the national relay team is a great introduction to the big time

Her final time and semifinal time of 11.79 (0.0) are both superior to her 11.71 (+2.0) in Canberra at 2000 feet elevation just a month ago. So she's on the up and still 2 months before she turns 17.

But it all makes me shake my head when I recall Raelene Boyle at only 17 years and 4 months ran 11.20 to place 4th in the 100 and 22.73 for SILVER in the 200 at the 1968 Mexico Olympics
 
Last edited:

Jimmy Chitwood

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
8,973
Location
Arkansas
The fastest returning high school male sprinter (specifically in the 100-meters) in 14 of the 50 states is a White athlete. Some notable times for those returning athletes include:
- Declan Rustay (IL) who has a pr of 10.54
- Carter Kuehl (ID) with a 10.65
- JP Vaught (KY) who ran a 10.81 last year as a sophomore
- Austin Kratz (PA) with a 10.66
- Dallin Draper (UT) with a 10.61
- Cole Beck (VA) with a 10.41

Additionally, but also (I think) of note, there are 13 states where the fastest returning male sprinter is black but who has only run 10.81 or slower, which (while certainly fast, to be sure) doesn't exactly set the world on fire. This lends more credence to my continued position that FAR TOO FEW White athletes go out for track. There's no biological reason that validates the claim that White kids can't run times in that range, yet in several states the "fastest athlete" is a black kid who takes longer than 11 seconds to complete the short sprint.

Lack of White participation is the only logical conclusion for this phenomenon.

*****************************

In high school girls track news, keep an eye out for high jumper Jenna Rogers. Now a sophomore, she set the national record for freshmen last season.

In the 800, Meghan Hunter of Utah currently sits at #5 in the nation (and #1 for juniors). She could be a force to be reckoned with moving forward.

Finally, Ohio's Abby Steiner is a massive talent! She is putting up some VERY impressive times in the short sprints, both indoors and out.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
8,973
Location
Arkansas
here's a bit more info on notable performances by our young sprinters ...

there are currently 4 boys in the Top 10 nationally over 60-meters:
#2- Dallin Draper (UT) is no longer holding the top spot, but he has lowered his best time to 6.76. he's also #8 nationally over the indoor 200 (21.54).
#3- Austin Kratz (PA), the Mennonite Flash, boasts a 6.78 over 60 as well as the nation's #2 time for the indoor 200 (21.04).
#7 (t)- Gatlin Lawson, of South Carolina, is a new name to me, but he can fly! just a junior, he owns a 6.83 over 60-meters. he ran 10.66 and 21.65 last year as a sophomore. he has a BRIGHT future!
#10- Easton Bianchi, running out of Illinois, recently laid down a 6.84. last year he ran a wind-legal 10.52 (so he may actually be the fastest returning sprinter in the state, not Rustay as I wrote above) and 21.78, winning state titles in both events. he's also quite the playmaker on the football field, so check out his highlights.

*********************

for the girls, Abby Steiner ranks #4 in the 60 (7.42) and is #2 over 200 (23.60).

the sparkling Emily Sloan (mentioned above for her dazzling 60-meter hurdles performance) also holds the nation's #10 time over the flat 60 (7.54).
 

dolphins15

Guru
Joined
Feb 15, 2017
Messages
361
Another guy to watch is Freddy Canary out of South Harrison High School in West Virginia. He won the 100M (10.63), 200M (21.50), 400M (48.07), and Long Jump (21' 4.5) for West Virginia last year. He is committed to West Virginia State for football.

 
M

Matt Prater

Guest
I don't think he has been mentioned here but France's Aurelien Larue is an up and coming 100m guy. He just turned 17 and has the second fastest 60 meter time in the world for under 18.
On another note: if Samuel Purola builds on a fantastic initial season last year , he could easily hit 10.15 . With his size and developing power I could see him going 9.95 in 2019 with no wind. He has a ton of international experience already for such a young guy the sky is the limit for him. I really see him eclipsing the 9.92 by Lemaitre before he hit 20. May of 2019 would be fantastic. Unfortunately I don't see Italy's Tortu doing the same. Just a hunch.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
8,973
Location
Arkansas
the New Balance Indoor Nationals started today with several of our people participating. i will post results when i'm able, if no one beats me to it.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 10, 2005
Messages
8,973
Location
Arkansas
with two days in the books, there have already been a lot of strong performances by our athletes at the New Balance Indoor National Championships. here are some that caught my attention:

in the preliminary rounds for boys 60-meters, Coleton Beck (#6 overall with 6.84) and Austin Kratz (#7 overall with 6.85) shined. Dallin Draper advanced (#23 overall with 6.97), but was well off his usual standard. i'm obviously eager to see how they handle the rounds moving forward. similarly, in the girls 60-meters, Abby Steiner cruised comfortably, taking the #2 overall time and just .007 off the leader (that's 7 thousandths of a second for the math impaired).

Steiner also cruised in the 200, taking the #2 time there, as well (23.85). Kratz, arguably the top overall male sprinter in the country, coasted for the #2 time in the 200 (21.11). barring anything unexpected, the deuce looks like a two-man race for both the girls and boys, with each of our people matching up with "real" affletes.

in the girls 60m hurdles, Emily Sloan had the #2 overall time in 8.33.

Mayson Conner continues to defy gravity, taking home the championship in the high jump, clearing 7-feet 1.75-inches.

in the shot put, Patrick Latterson took home the title by throwing 2 feet further than second place in an absolutely dominant performance.

more news to come as time permits ...
 

Shadowlight

Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Messages
3,882
In the sprints Austin Kratz placed third in the 100 M and FIRST in the 200M with a time of 21.01.

Abby Steiner missed out for a medal in the 100M but placed 2nd in the 200M.
 

jacknyc

Hall of Famer
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
4,091
Austin Kratz won the Arcadia Invitational 100m and 200m yesterday.
The Arcadia Invitational is a major HS invitational meet, and a preview of some of the best high schoolers in the country.
Kratz' times were 10.34 - which is the 2nd fastest in meet history, and 20.74, which is the 2nd fastest time in the country.
Amazing times, and hopefully a lot more to come from this kid!
 

white lightning

Hall of Famer
Joined
Oct 16, 2004
Messages
20,687
Austin Kratz won the Arcadia Invitational 100m and 200m yesterday.
The Arcadia Invitational is a major HS invitational meet, and a preview of some of the best high schoolers in the country.
Kratz' times were 10.34 - which is the 2nd fastest in meet history, and 20.74, which is the 2nd fastest time in the country.
Amazing times, and hopefully a lot more to come from this kid!


To quote my good friend Jimmy Chitwood, "You just can't make this stuff up".

Just like in football, basketball and many other sports, the caste system robs us of more incredible athletes. Kids
just like Austin Kratz. The fact that even a few of our kids break through on the national level with the low participation
numbers is amazing. If the playing field was equaled you would see a lot more eye popping times and records. There is
no reason on Gods Green Earth that whites can't compete and beat black athletes.

The Asians have finally realized this and are putting more money, time and training into sports. It is already paying
off big dividends.

Back to Austin Kratz. I need to see this kid run live. So happy he is having a great season. Please don't let him give up
track like Cuttis Godwin did a couple of years ago. He was just as good and like countless others before him gave up track
after high school. I hope Kratz is in it for the long haul The kid has Olympic level capability with continued training!
 
Top