Sprinting down the final straightaway, using every last ounce of energy in his body, sophomore Karnell Jolly secures the victory for his team in the final race of the meet. Falling across the finish line, Jolly is hoisted into the arms of his teammates, finishing off the annual Watty Myers meet in a picture perfect way on Mar. 9.

Four members of the Texas High varsity boys’ track team (Jolly, junior Eli Likins, freshman Justin Arnold and senior Jaidun Coleman) qualified for the annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays after finishing first in the 1600 meter relay over Atlanta.

Texas Relays, competed at the University of Texas at Austin, is on the larger scale of meets in the country, attracting teams from all over the nation. With an average of 5,000 athletes competing in the event total, the 1600 meter relay for division two 6A and 5A will have 102 competing teams with 12 heats. 

“I’m feeling optimistic about [the meet], it’s a big stage with about 20,000 people watching,” Head Track Coach Astin Greer said. “ The meet is also a college meet so the schools from all of the Power 5 conferences will be there as well as about 30 professional sprinters. Those colleges and professionals bring out the fans.”

The relay team gained attention from the state after crossing the finish line in a nail biter, with a time of 3:27.

As of now, in preparation for Texas Relays and the district 15-5A meet in two weeks, the team is working to shave their race time down to 3:23.

“The goal is to run faster,” Greer said. “If we can [get down] to the 3:22-3:24 range, I may be the most excited person in Austin this weekend.”

With high hopes for the remainder of the season, the team will set out to Austin on Friday, Mar. 31, at 6 a.m.

Though our Tigers will be six hours away down in the capital, the event will be streamed on Longhorn Network Friday night, allowing us to watch from home! 

“Everyone has the opportunity to watch from home,” Greer said. “And as long as we run faster, I’ll be satisfied [with the boys].”