Photo Credit: Chance Kirby - MileSplit TX
Kendrick Smallwood - Mesquite Poteet
Smallwood added personal best performances in seven events this year. He ran 11.25, 21.58, 49.67 in the sprints and long jumped 22-3, however it was his hurdling where he was expected to excel -- and he did.
Smallwood entered the season as the defending UIL 5A state champion in both the 100 meter hurdles and the 300 meter hurdles. Expectations were high for him being one of the top returning hurdlers for the 2022 season. He PRed this year in both hurdle events by going 13.36 (w) and 36.24.
The University of Texas signee began the season with a 14.19 in the 110s and that would be his slowest race of the year. He would go on to rattle off 10 sub 14 second races including five of them 15.53 and under and added his second consecutive UIL 5A 110 meter hurdle state championship. He is currently ranked US No. 2 in the event.
In the 300 meter hurdles, he would run two 37 second races and two 36 second races, finishing runner-up by only .10 of a second. He is currently ranked US No. 4.
Chances: Solid