Riley Reed (L) Barret Jackson (C), and Jordan Gutierrez (R) all won UIL 1A boys sprint titles
UIL Track and Field State Championships
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Riley Reed came in the with the fastest time turned in at the regional meet but that meant nothing coming into the state race. He was going to have to earned his gold medal against a worthy field that featured some returning faces from last season, including fifth place finisher Michael Smith of Iraan.
It took all 100 meters to decided a winner between Reed and Smith. But in the end, Reed took the win with a time of 10.91. Smith was just behind with a time of 10.92.
Jakyen Wright started in third and finished in third with a time of 10.98. It took a second out of the blocks for the Paducah senior to pull away from the field, but when he did, it was all but decided for the final podium spot.
There was some déjà vu in this year's 400-meter dash. As many expected, the top two podium finishers from last season would come down to the wire once again. Baret Jackson and Griff Reel battled it out all the way to the finish line.
Reel took the lead and was in front the majority of the race. Jackson made his move towards the front and with about 30 meters remaining, overtook the lead to take the win. The Rankin senior crossed in a time of 49.20.
Reel held on for second with a time of 49.39. The junior out of Jayton just slight avoided being caught by Karter Cummings for third.
Cummings, a senior from Blackwell, perhaps had the strongest final 10 meters of the race.
Jordan Gutierrez had the fastest time coming into the state meet but it was going to require a fast start and then some to beat reigning state champion in Jakyen Wright.
Yet, the Iredell sophomore stepped up to the challenge and did just that. Once he took the lead out of the blocks, he never looked back and won with a time of 22.02. That broke the Class 1A record, set by Wright from last season.
Wright held on to second with a time of 22.31 and things looked as if he could overtake Gutierrez for a moment in the final 50 meters. The Paducah senior added another medal to his day along with his bronze in the 100-meter dash.
Daylen Miller from Garner was the bronze medalist with a time of 22.65. He was fifth rounding the curve but moved into third with about 50 meters to go.
