Maurice Starr, Brandon Brown Jr., Michael Bickham and Lamont Reed went fast –– school-record fast –– and it earned them a state silver medal.
In fading sunlight that picturesquely served as a spotlight over the burnt orange track at the University of Texas’ Mike A. Myers Stadium on Saturday night, the Shoemaker Grey Wolves 4x200-meter foursome cruised through two laps in high gear, clocking 1 minute, 23.59 seconds for second place –– just .03 behind gold medalist Spring Dekaney at the Class 6A UIL State Track and Field Championships.
“I still feel like I could have done some things a little better to get us the gold,” said the senior Reed, the anchor leg. “I’m not satisfied, but I’m not complaining about second place.”
Nor should he.
It not only was the fastest time the Grey Wolves posted in the event this season, but the sub-1:24 performance was the quickest for a Shoemaker 4x200 since 2013.
Not to mention, they did it on the grandest stage, too, after earning their state berth via the wildcard spot out of highly competitive Region II, which included three of the top-four finishers (DeSoto was fourth) in the race Saturday. Katy Mayde Creek out of Region III was third in 1:24.00.
Starr led off the race and handed the baton to Brown. Bickham was next and his exchange with Reed for the final 200 gave the Grey Wolves three ideal handoffs. The finish was tight at the line, and everyone’s attention –– most fans were standing at that point –– shifted to the giant scoreboard, which confirmed just how close it was.
“It feels good. We did what we had to do –– broke the school record,” Bickham said before Brown added, “Breaking the school record was a blessing. We wouldn’t be here without God.”
Starr and Reed were back on the track about 2 hours later for the 4x400 relay that also featured Luis Lopez and Tavon Burrell.
The foursome posted a season-best and school-record 3:13.74 to place fourth –– .31 away from the medal stand. The eight points earned boosted the Grey Wolves to 28 points and an overall finish of second place in the 6A team standings, just five points shy of capturing the 6A team state title.
In all, Killeen ISD was represented by three individuals and the two relays over two days in Austin.
On Friday, Ellison’s standout distance runner Ethan Carranza made his state track and field meet debut and the Eagles senior, who won the Class 5A Region II 3,200-meter title two weeks ago, placed eighth in the 5A state finals in a time of 9:36.33.
Carranza also was a two-time state qualifier in cross country during a successful career at Ellison.
Killeen’s Antwoine Warren had a busy Saturday morning in the 6A meet, jumping in two events.
The 6-foot-3 senior, who quickly ascended the jumping ranks this season, placed fifth in the high jump with a 6-foot-6 clearance, then finished fourth in the long jump with a mark of 22-11¼.
It was Warren’s second straight appearance in the state meet. He was a 5A qualifier in the high jump a year ago.
Later in the afternoon, Shoemaker senior Isaiah Butler-Tanner finished fourth in the 6A discus in his state debut. Butler-Tanner's best throw of 176-7 on his fourth throw of six nearly earned him the bronze.
Both Warren in the long jump and Butler-Tanner were in medal position in the final round of their events.
To view more state meet photos, visit Killeen ISD Communications’ Flickr page here.
For full results, click here.
