Colby Huntress strategized a UIL 5A 800m victory
2026 UIL Track and Field State Championships
Austin Anderson's Colby Huntress, the UIL 5A cross country champion, used his strength to power his way to the UIL 5A boys 800m title.
Huntress was more than willing to let Braylon Kinzie (Wichita Falls Memorial) push the pace in the early going. Kinzie went out hard and built up a lead in the early going and went through the 400m at 53.37. Huntress stayed within range of Kinzie and was third after one lap. On the back straightaway Huntress started to make his move.
Kinzie was unable to cover Huntress but LaPorte's Roy Ramirez was up for the challenge and went with Huntress. Channon Davis (Wagner) worked hard to get around Kinzie and stay in the race around the final curve. Huntress cruised to the victory in 1:51.65.
The silver medal came down to a sprint and it was John Fowler of Beaumont West Brook who went from fourth to second in the final 50m and finished in 1:52.20. Davis clung to third with a 1:52.31 finish, inches ahead of Ramirez in fourth. Dylan Grzywinski (Frisco Wakeland) finished strong and was a close fifth place in 1:52.36.
It was the second straight season that Huntress medaled in the 800m after finishing second to Caden Gary (Lovejoy) last year.
UIL 5A Boys 800m
