Jah'Quan McAfee wins the UIL 4A boys 100m in 10.27 (+3.2)
2026 UIL Track and Field State Championships
The 2026 UIL Boys 4A 100-meter final delivered one of the deepest sprint fields of the meet, with every finalist finishing under 10.81 under a strong +3.2 tailwind. With multiple sub-11 athletes entering the race and regional qualifying times as fast as 10.73, expectations were high for a tightly contested final, and the race delivered from start to finish. Early acceleration proved critical, and by the drive phase, it was clear the middle lanes would decide the championship.
The showdown came down to lanes 2 and 4, where sophomore Jah'Quan McAfee from La Marque and senior Louis Hickman Jr. from Austin LBJ ran stride-for-stride through the opening meters. McAfee's explosive start out of La Marque gave him a slight edge into the final phase, but Hickman stayed composed and pressed hard through the finish. In the end, McAfee held on to claim the state title in 10.27, with Hickman just behind in 10.30 in a razor-close finish that highlighted the depth at the top of the field
Just behind the lead duo, Avonte Earl from Houston Worthing delivered a strong double-performance meet, adding a bronze medal in 10.36 after also competing in the hurdles moments earlier. His ability to maintain top-end speed despite a heavy event load underscored his versatility and competitiveness on the biggest stage. Close behind, senior Creed Whisenhunt from Sulphur Springs finished fourth in 10.37, narrowly missing the podium in one of the tightest spreads of the race.
The chase pack remained tightly bunched, with sophomore Kilgore's MaMaddox Wright ddox Wright taking fifth in 10.49 and Bryce Mack from Sealy placing sixth in 10.53. Eduardo Hernandez (Fort Stockton) crossed in seventh at 10.63, followed by freshman Kaiden Joseph in 10.68 and Phoenix Sherwood rounding out the field in 10.80.
The race highlighted the importance of explosive starts and maintaining form through maximum velocity, especially in a wind-aided final where margins were razor-thin. With McAfee and Hickman pushing each other to the line and multiple athletes finishing within hundredths, the 4A boys 100-meter dash stood out as one of the most competitive sprint finals of the 2026 UIL meet.
Jah'Quan McAfee wins the UIL 4A boys 100m in 10.27 (+3.2)
2026 UIL Track and Field State Championships
The 2026 UIL Boys 4A 100-meter final delivered one of the deepest sprint fields of the meet, with every finalist finishing under 10.81 under a strong +3.2 tailwind. With multiple sub-11 athletes entering the race and regional qualifying times as fast as 10.73, expectations were high for a tightly contested final, and the race delivered from start to finish. Early acceleration proved critical, and by the drive phase, it was clear the middle lanes would decide the championship.
The showdown came down to lanes 2 and 4, where sophomore Jah'Quan McAfee from La Marque and senior Louis Hickman Jr. from Austin LBJ ran stride-for-stride through the opening meters. McAfee's explosive start out of La Marque gave him a slight edge into the final phase, but Hickman stayed composed and pressed hard through the finish. In the end, McAfee held on to claim the state title in 10.27, with Hickman just behind in 10.30 in a razor-close finish that highlighted the depth at the top of the field
