Photo of Kendrick Jones, Jr. (Lake Belton)
UIL Track and Field State Championships
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UIL 5A Boys 100m
None of the medalists from last year were present in this year's race, so a new champion would be crowned.
William Mitchell (Fort Bend Marshall) carried his 10.42 Region 3-5A winning time into Austin with the fastest time. All entries were within 0.27 of one another, making the chances of a close race.
When the initial gun went off, there was a call back and blocks were unfortunately removed for Diego Rodriguez in lane five.
The second start saw Dylan Bennett (Mount Pleasant) get a good start from lane three, but Mitchell was patient through his drive phase. His top end speed proved to be supreme, carrying him to the win in 10.43 (+1.8).
Bennett would hold on and secure a runner-up finish in 10.52 and Blake Holland (Magnolia) was a close third in 10.54.
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UIL 5A Boys 400m
Last year's state champion Malik Franklin (Fort Worth Wyatt) got the season off to a great start, however, his season progress has been slowed due to a slight injury.
The rest of the entering field was very accomplished on the season. Eugene Bynum (Frisco Lone Star) had the best qualifying time of 47.61 and a pair of youngsters Jordan Riggs (Fort Bend Marshall) and Cooper Lutkenhaus (Northwest) have both run 47-second races this year.
So, the questions were, how would Franklin look health wise and how would Lutkenhaus look following his 800m win a few hours earlier.
Riggs got off to a fast start, but Franklin and Bynum were on his inside hunting. Bynum ran a great curve for the lead, but on the strethe it was riggs and Franklin pressing the charge off th turn.
Franklin perhaps used the plethora of qualities in his tool box of experience from last year, parental guidance, great coaching, or sheer talent and heart to produce a 47.23 to defend his title.
Riggs held on for second in 47.55 and Taylor Briggs (McKinney North) scored a bronze medal with a good finishing kick in 47.72.
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UIL 5A Boys 200m
Last year, it was Kendrick Jones Jr. (Belton) with a time of 20.57 who won the UIL 5A boys 200m state title as a freshman. He is the only runner from that entire field to make it back to this year's race.
However, Jones Jr. had the second fastest qualifying time of 21.04 behind Jaeden Servantez (San Antonio Houston) and his 20.99.
Unfortunately, two runners Amir Thompson (Pflugerville Hendrickson) and Omari Mitchell (Mansfield Timberview) who figured to have an impact on this race were DNS'.
Jones Jr. got out quick with Elijah Johnston (Granbury) on his side coming off the turn.
Jones Jr. would continue to press the issue on the homestretch and open his lead. On the outside, Blake Holland (Magnolia) closed hard to overtake Johnson at the line for second place.
Jones Jr. won in 20.83, Holland second in 21.15, and Johnston third in 21.22.
