It wasn't too long ago, that we saw one of the best 200m battles against two of the most explosive and strong athletes Texas track and field has ever saw.
It was 265 days ago. Last year, Port Arthur Memorial senior Kary Vincent Jr. and Fort Bend Marshall senior Shamon Ehiemua were both coming off of 2016 seasons where they both won 200m state titles. Vincent Jr. won the 6A title and Ehiemua won the 5A title in 2016. Last year, they were both in 5A and something had to give.
Today, we will have the same kind of battle.
Neither of these guys come in as individually accomplished as Vincent Jr. and Ehiemua or as physically imposing, but as you will see today, it will not matter.
This year, he has capitalized on his specialty race and has lowered his time to 20.70!
Ireon Brown is he baby faced freshman you see in all of the Port Arthur Memorial videos from last year's historically fast teams.
He was a part of the 39.80 4x100 relay and the 1:23.52 4x200 relay that made the entire nation drop their jaw in disbelief. He also was a key piece to their 3:14.61 4x400 relay.
Ireon Brown is he baby faced freshman you see in all of the Port Arthur Memorial videos from last year's historically fast teams.
He was a part of the 39.80 4x100 relay and the 1:23.52 4x200 relay that made the entire nation drop their jaw in disbelief. He also was a key piece to their 3:14.61 4x400 relay.
Yeah, he was just a kid, but that kid was talented, smooth, and fast.
This year, is a totally different kid. That kid is now running grown man times. He is still just a sophomore, but his state leading and US #2 20.61is stuff that you mostly see from physically super developed seniors. Don't tell Brown, it appears he doesn't know that he isn't supposed to be that fast.
If you some how think his 20.61 is a fluke or isn't real, then yesterdays's evidence of his 21.35 race where he let up 5-10m from the finish is an indication that he is for real.
Today, both young men will try to set up their teams for the best possible Regional finals finish and step towards the state meet.
They will also prepare for a battle against one of the state's and nation's best 200m runners....each other.
With all of the biggest and baddest boys and girls competing in the state today, this is the one race that you will not want to miss.
Bothe Jordan Booker and Ireon Brown as well as their Humble Wildcats and Port Arthur Memorial Titans are worth the price of admission.
If you can't get to Humble, Texas to watch, you must keep your eye on TX.MileSplit for the live updates and race video.