I. Am. Speed.

Pictured: James Duncan

Chandler's (Junior) James Duncan has hurdled his way to the No. 1 ranking in the 110 High Hurdles this year, for Class 3A. Duncan opened the track season at Moore, competing in the 5A-6A division, and placed fourth in the event. Although Duncan was not impressed with his performance at the season opener, he didn't looked look back, but has hurdled each meet in a commanding fashion! Duncan attributed his success to maintaining a "winning mindset," along with focusing on both the 100 meter and 400 meter run in practice. His execution on the track (in the 110 High Hurdles) is quite impressive, and it recalls the days of watching rival (school) Stroud athletes Dominique Hornbeck and Jay Mixon running the event in the late 1990's, which was a work of art. Now, Duncan is creating a masterpiece!

During the 2022 track season, Duncan crafted a dominate first place finish at the OSSAA Regional Track Meet by a time of 15.34 seconds (in the 110 High Hurdles), which was the fastest time in all four regions, making him the favorite at the 2022 OSSAA State Track Meet. At the 2022 OSSAA Track Meet, Duncan shot out of the blocks and began separating himself from the field during the preliminary finals. However, he ultimately suffered an injury and was unable to advance to the finals the following day, in the hopes of capturing the gold medal at state. This year, his focus has been "staying healthy" and winning at the state track meet. Duncan described the focal point of his training, at this point in the season, indicating "I haven't focused on hurdles, just mostly mental races now. It's all about a good start in the blocks, and proper form."

Duncan's best time (this season) in the 110 High Hurdles is an impressive 15.05 seconds, which he ran in the large school division at the OBU Bison Invitational on April 4th, 2023. He has also competed in the 300 Hurdles on two occasions this year and placed third at the Stroud Invitational (March 25, 2023), and first place at the Rt 66 Track Classic last week. The No. 1 ranked hurdler is set to compete again this Saturday (April 22, 2023), at the Luther Lions Invitational (Luther, OK), before heading to the regional track meet on April 29, 2023.

- Mario Holland

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Athlete Spotlight:

Several (Lincoln) county athletes competed at the Rt 66 Track Classic on April 14, 2023 and set individual and schools records:

Kileigh Mixon (Stroud H.S.) set a new school record in the high jump, at the Rt 66 Track Classic, jumping 5'9" and beating her old state record of 5'8" (state record in Class 2A).

Kennel Patrick (Stroud H.S.) set a personal best Pole Vault of 9'6" at Rt 66 Track Classic, which is leading the state in Class 2A.

Stroud's 4x100 meter relay team broke a 42 year old school record, at the Rt 66 Track Classic (April 14, 2023), with a time of 50.76 seconds. Team members are (L-R) Peyton Davis, Mattie James, Kileigh Mixon, and Kenlee Parrick.

Congrats on the accomplishments athletes!

- Mario Holland