2025 UIL 6A Boys 400m
Elijah Ferguson (Katy Mayde Creek) ran a 45.46 a couple of weeks ago in the 400m and entered the UIL 6A boys race as the favorite. It did not figure to be an easy race with runners like Jonathan Simms (Allen), the Texas record holder, Cooper Lutkenhaus (Northwest), the 800m champion, and Joshua Shelton (Pearland), who broke 46s at the Regional meet, as the challengers.
In the early goings of the race, Simms looked healthy enough and like he had regained his form from two years ago and was leading down the backstretch. Then, Abram Reagan (Lake Travis) made a move to take the lead around the curve and it looked like he might have a chance to upset the apple cart.
Ferguson had other ideas as he transitioned into high gear, demonstrating his extreme speed and conditioning to put in a monster kick, claiming the UIL 6A boys state title in 46.05 after taking home silver and bronze medals in previous years.
Reagan was battling Charvis Tubbs (Humble) for what looked to be the silver medal when Lutkenhaus, coming off his state record 800m run earlier pulled a Ferguson like kick to came out of nowhere to slip past and take second in 46.30. Reagan held on for third place in a huge personal best of 46.54.
In perhaps the best and most difficult track state in the country to experience success in sprints, Ferguson showed that with a lot of hard work and dedication to his craft and a little luck, a dream can be accomplished no matter how difficult it might seem. His linear rise from the masses as a freshman to finish third in his sophomore season, second as a junior, and taking home the state title as a senior is as far as anyone needs to look if they need motivation or proof.
