Kirk Collins (5160) is the top returning boys hurdler in both events for the 2020 track and field season
Texas hurdle events have long been producers of the best athletes and best races in the state. Every year, graduation takes some of our top hurdlers, but the events continue to flourish. We know the girls hurdles is going to be off the charts again, but do not overlook the boys hurdles.
The top boys returning hurdler is no doubt League City Clear Springs senior hurdler Kirk Collins. He won the UIL 6A state title in the 110H (13.82) and was second in the 300H (36.86). Winning state medals in both event and the top returner, Collins looks to hit the nail on the head this season and capture both state titles.
However, every year, an unexpected group of challengers always seems to rise to challenge the favorites. This year, there could be a host of challengers to Collins in both events.
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110H Challengers
During the indoor season, we saw three up and coming hurdlers who appear ready to challenge for a state title. Fort Bend Elkins senior Cameron Wilmington, Fort Worth Chisholm Trail senior Nathan Franco, and Fort Bend Ridge Point senior Darek Hackett all have rhythm and momentum heading outdoors.
Kansas signee, Wilmington ran a 7.90 PR, Franco 7.91 PR, and Hackett ran 8.05 to set themselves up for a good season. Killeen Shoemaker senior Devin Groves and Mansfield Timberview senior Alec Ndiaye have also run under 8.14 for the 2020 indoor season.
There are a total of 13 returning boys who have run 14.30 and faster and several state meet qualifiers and medalists from SPC, TAPPS, and UIL.
Related: 110H Returners
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300H Challengers
The Texas A&M signee, Collins will have so many challengers in the 300H. The top challenger could be the UIL 6A third place finisher Clayton Keys from Katy Tompkins. The Nebraska signee, Keys is a talented hurdler who also medaled in the long jump last spring is the second fastest returner this season with his 36.87 PR only .01 behind Collins at the state meet.
Wilmington will challenge here again as with the 110H. His 37.20 PR beat Keys at the Region 3-6A meet as both were right behind Collins. Going 53.59 this summer in the 400H is a sign he is ready to challenge for the top spot in the state. Wilmington showed his speed during the indoor season with a 7.02 and 21.91 in the sprints.
Related: 300H Returners
White Settlement senior and UIL 5A third runner-up finisher Travis Bradley (37.43) will hope to win a state title this season will also challenge for the state lead. So too, will D'Carlo Calderon from Laredo United. Calderon was primed and ready for the state meet last season. He ran brilliantly all season long until the Region 4-6A finals. He had a less than perfect technical race and missed out on state by .01 (37.83) as he was third in the finals.
Calderon worked on his speed during the indoor season. The junior ran the 60m, 200m, and 400m with his highlight coming with a 48.25 in the 400m at Texas A&M.
Another name to look out for is George Ranch's Bryce McCray. The junior enters the season with a 38.29 PR from last season, but he was impressive over the summer as he ran an elite 52.69 in the 400H. He also worked on his speed indoors by running the three sprint events as well.
Collins is at the top of the totem pole this year, but there are plenty of hurdlers ready to hit big this 2020 outdoor season and challenge him for the state's top spot. There are plenty of barrier ahead of them all coming this season, but none of them will stop us from seeing another fabulous hurdle season.