Parson draws inspiration from previous generation

McClinton pointed Parson out to McNeil, who never has met the 16-year-old phenom, as they caught their first glimpse of the UIL Class 5A state track and field championships.

Within earshot of Parson, McNeil thought about speaking to him briefly.

"But I decided not to," McNeil said. "He was focusing on the race and I didn't want to bother him. He looked ready to go."

McNeil, a 1980 Sam Houston graduate who owned the San Antonio high school record in the 100 before Parson broke it this spring, was right. MORE OF SA EXPRESS NEWS ARTCILE