ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO—Matthew Boling (Strake, Houston) found himself behind after the start of the 100 at the Great Southwest Invitational. After a frantic mid-race drive, he crossed the line in 10.15, tying the No. 10 prep performance ever, albeit with 1561m (5121ft) of friendly altitude. Kennedy Lightner (North Little Rock, Ar) was a distant 2nd at 10.34, but did come back to win a Boling-less 200 in a list-leading 20.48.
“My start needs work. I really have closing speed,” Boling told the Albuquerque Journal. “Every race you see, I’m even until the 50 and then my last 40 is the best part of my race. “I haven’t run the 100 in like a month so I’m happy with it.” The Texas phenom also competed in the long jump, where his 25-½ gave him another win. He closed the day by anchoring an all-star relay that went 39.05. “We didn’t have a lot of time to train together,” he said.
Despite the cameras following viral sensation Boling around, the highlight of the meet came in another event entirely. Justin Robinson (West, Hazelwood, Missouri) stunned observers by destroying the national age-17 and junior-class 400 bests of 44.99 with a 44.84 winner that moved him to No. 2 all-time. The mark is also huge on a global scale, ranking as a new World Youth (U18) record, breaking the legendary 45.14 set by California Obea Moore in ’95. Robinson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “I felt like I was going too slow. It’s a little scary, honestly.”
On the girls side, the sprint performances were just as scintillating. Jamaican Briana Williams (Northeast, Oakland Park, Florida) moved to No. 2 all-time in the 100 with her 11.02. Then she blistered 200 in 22.88. Teammate Jan’Taijah Ford ran a list-leading 51.57 in the 400. Another yearly leader fell to Alexis Brown (Kennedale, Texas) in the long jump at 20-9¾.
GREAT SOUTHWEST BOYS RESULTS
Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 8 (altitude 1561m)
100(0.7): 1. Matthew Boling (Strake, Houston, Tx) 10.15 (=x,10 HS);
2. Kennedy Lightner (North Little Rock, Ar) 10.34; 3. Ryan Martin (Stafford, Tx) 10.38.
200(-0.4): 1. Lightner 20.48 (HSL);
2. Cameron Miller (Dunne, Dallas) 20.55; 3. Lance Broome (Seven Lakes, Katy, Tx) 20.69; 4. Caleb Boger (Mesquite, Tx) 20.82; 5. *Devon Achane (Marshall, Missouri City, Tx) 21.02.
400: 1. *Justin Robinson (West, Hazelwood, Mo) 44.84 (HSL) (2, 2 HS) (junior-class and age-17 records) WYR, AYR (old records 45.14 Obea Moore [Muir, Pasadena, Ca] ’95);
2. Jonah Vigil (Taos, NM) 46.43; 3. *Chris Dupree (Park Hill South, Riverside, Mo) 46.57.
110H(1.1): 1. Zion Gordon (Regis, Aurora, Co) 13.62; 2. Grant Conway (St James, Mo) 13.68;
3. Terry Smith (Independence, Frisco, Tx) 13.70; 4. Cortney Watkins (Hickman, Columbia, Mo) 13.71; 5. Cameron Harris (Brighton, Co) 13.77.
300H: 1. Watkins 36.83; 2. James Rivera (Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Fl) 37.11.
HJ: 1. **Tyus Wilson (Sterling, Ks) 6-11¾.
LJ: 1. Boling 25-½; 2. Donald Hatfield Jackson (Fox, Arnold, Mo) 24-5¾.
JT: 1. *Sam Hankins (Manhattan, Ks) 201-8.
Dec(6/06-07): 1. Miles Wilcox (Lehi, Ut) 5943; 2. Jacob Pauly (Festus, Mo) 5937.
GREAT SOUTHWEST GIRLS RESULTS
100(0.7): 1. Briana Williams’ (Northeast, Oakland Park, Fl) 11.02 (HSL) (2, 2 HS);
2. Alexis Brown (Kennedale, Tx) 11.54; 3. Jadyn Mays (North Canyon, Phoenix) 11.56; 4. **Adriana Tatum (Sandia, Albuquerque) 11.58; 5. Sydney Holiday (Broomfield, Co) 11.69; 6. JaEra Griffin (DeSoto) 11.76.
200(-0.4): 1. Williams 22.88; 2. Dynasty McClennon (Summer Creek, Houston) 23.28; 3. Jayla Hollis (DeSoto, Tx) 23.85.
400: 1. Jan’Taijah Ford (Northeast, Oakland Park, Fl) 51.57 (HSL);
2. Meghan Hunter (Provo) 53.35; 3. Dominique Mustin (North Canyon) 54.46.
100H(0.1): 1.** Tyra Wilson (Rock Bridge, Columbia, Mo) 13.52.
300H: 1. Tyra Wilson 40.79; 2. Kyla Robinson-Hubbard (Calabasas, CA) 42.55; 3. **Paige Magee (Battle, Columbia, Mo) 42.67.
PV: 1. ***Allison Neiders (Holy Names, Seattle) 12-5½.
LJ: 1. Alexis Brown (Kennedale, Tx) 20-9¾ (HSL);
2. Ameia Wilson (Danville, Il) 20-5; 3. **LaQwasia Stepney (West, Bellville, Il) 20-1.
TJ: 1. **Riley Ammenhauser (Neuqua Valley, Naperville, Il) 40-2.
Hept(6/06-07): 1. Jordan Lanning (Bayfield, Co) 4870 (5-10½); 2.Madelyn McCabe (Cashon, Ok) 4617.
