Andrew Jones Runs New US No. 1 In 60-Meter Hurdles Win

The boys' 60-meter hurdles at the Texas High School Indoor Championships unfolded as one of the most competitive and dramatic sprint-hurdle events of the meet, with the preliminary rounds immediately separating contenders from pretenders and setting up a loaded final. The top 16 advanced from prelims, and the depth was evident from the start as multiple athletes dipped under 8.00 seconds.

Avonte Earl, a proven UIL outdoor performer, led the qualifiers with a sharp 7.84, narrowly ahead of Andrew Jones at 7.85, while Tyler Key, who entered the meet as the top-ranked hurdler of the young 2026 indoor season after his standout 7.76 at the Galleria Games, qualified third in 7.89. The prelims featured a who's who of Texas hurdle talent, including Cadyn Key, Steven Schwartz, and Chayce Davis, all of whom asserted themselves as medal threats, ensuring that the finals would be tightly contested.

When the finals arrived later that afternoon, the script flipped in emphatic fashion. Jones, racing on what will soon be his home track as a Texas A&M commit, made the most of the moment. Jones attacked the race from the gun and delivered a blistering 7.73, securing the win and establishing a new US No. 1 time for the indoor season. Key responded with a strong 7.79 for second, reaffirming his national standing, while Schwartz elevated his performance to claim third in 7.82. The depth of the final was underscored by Cadyn Key and Davis, both of whom raised their game to break the 8.00-second barrier with runs of 7.95 and 7.99, respectively.

While Avonte Earl, the fastest qualifier, was unable to replicate his prelim form in the final, finishing 13th, the overall race told a clear story: Texas hurdle racing is deep, fast, and nationally relevant. From the tightly packed preliminaries to a final that produced a season-leading mark, the boys' 60-meter hurdles delivered championship-level excitement and set the tone for the rest of the indoor campaign.

Boys 60 Meter Hurdles - Finals Results