Lear competes at 2017 Brooks PR and Blackmon Competes at 2017 UIL 6A state meet
Bailey Lear and Kennedy Blackmon are expected to be two of the top girls in the 400m this season. In fact, they have been so for a while and have even demonstrated their talents throughout the young indoor season.
However, this week at the Texas Tech Under Armour HS Classic, both young ladies will elect to run the 200m. Coach Richard Thomas of D2R told TX MileSplit, "They will be dropping down to compete in the open 200m at Texas Tech this weekend." Speed is a requirement to be able to perform at a high level in the 400m and it seems they will be working on complimenting their primary event with speed work to make sure they are equipped with speed for the latter part of the 2018 season.
Lear is a University of Southern California commit and Blackmon is committed to Oklahoma University to continue their student athletic careers. Both young ladies also happen to compete for Destined2Run Track Club (D2R).
Lear has a personal best of 53.02 in the 400m outdoors and a 54.89 indoor best, which came earlier this month at the Texas A&M High School Indoor Classic. She has run the 200m before as she has scored personal bests of 24.98 indoors and a 24.69 outdoors. Lear also is one of the more versatile runners in the nation as she boasts excellent marks in the 100m up to the 800m.
- 60m (in) - 7.85
- 100m - 11.86
- 200m (in) - 24.98
- 200m - 24.69
- 400m (in) - 54.89
- 400m - 53.02
- 800m - 2:18.61
Lear and Blackmon medal at the 2017 USATF Junior Olympic Games
It's very easy to get caught up in "Learland", but despite Lear's elite status, Blackmon is not to be overlooked. She is a show stopper and quite versatile in her own right. She has an indoor PR this year from A&M of 56.05 in the 400m and a sub 54 outdoor best of 53.96. The 200m distance isn't new territory to her as she has a 25.00 indoor best, but she has also has a sub 24.0 outdoor best. To add to her sprinting arsenal, she boasts a 11.84 100m best.
Include her respectable long and triple jump marks and you can see Blackmon's full capabilities as a track recruit.
- 60m (in) - 8.20
- 100m - 11.84
- 200m (in) - 25.00
- 200m - 23.84
- 400m (in) - 56.05
- 400m - 53.96
- Long Jump - 17-0
- Triple Jump - 33-11.5
We've seen their current fitness level over the 400m distance this season. Now we will get a look at their current ability to sprint.
Thomas says, "They are ready to to run some blazing times in the 200."
Keep an eye on the live updates and the weekend results hub as we will see how fast they will be able to go this weekend.
One thing is for sure, Thomas believes in their fitness as he eloquently puts it...."They Ready!!"