Matthew Boling -- Can't Be Stopped
Matthew Boling had been competing in three individual events (100m, 200m, long jump) throughout the championship qualifying season. We all knew that a decision to drop one of the events would have to be made at the regional meet if he were to help his team try to achieve the maximum points by running relay legs on the 4x100 and 4x400.
Last weekend, we found out which event he would drop and which events he would continue on with to the state meet. Boling and the Strake Jesuit staff decided on the 100m and the long jump to go along with his participation on the two relays.
Boling is the defending UIL 6A state champion in the long jump and has been hitting some astronomical marks this season. His personal and season best is 26-3.5, which is the 11th best All-Time jump. He upped that accomplishment with his 9.9 100m PR for the best All-Time all conditions race for an American high school athlete.
The next best long jump performance behind Boling's mark is Clayton Keys' 24-9 mark from Region 3-6A. The Tompkins sophomore has yet to beat Boling head to head, but he has consistently improved throughout the season and has two meets with jumps over 24 feet.
Boling will probably try to pop a big jump early then watch and take as minimum jumps as possible. He should be focused and dialed in ready to pop a big jump or two. Most likely, he probably doesn't lose this competition for anything!
In the 100m, Boling has run several big time races with fast times. Not only has he run the 9.98, but he as a 10.1 and several 10.2s. The closest time to his are Lance Broome's 10.26 and Tyler Owens' 10.29, in which both runners have qualified for the state meet.
Nevertheless, Boling will win both individual events.