Jamal Walton represented the Cayman Islands in the 2014 CARIFTA Games where he broke Usain Bolt's U17 400m Record. Two weeks later, the South Florida freshman headed to the Cayman Islands to run in the Cayman Island Invitational; a meet loaded with youth talent as well as some of the top professional athletes in the world! Walton cruised to a third place finish Wednesday night winning the national men's age group 400 meters in a time of 47.73. The youngster who was born in the states, says it was neat to compete where his father was born and many family members still call home.
"It was great cause I met a lot of my family and there were a lot of people watching me. I heard people whispering asking if that was me. Others were shaking my hand, taking pics, and telling me they thought I was a great runner.
Last year, Walton and his coach met several of the pros including Tiffany Williams. This year, it was one of the United State's top sprinters, Olympian Allyson Felix, who he was able to snap a photo with. He decided to call it an event after his win in the quarter mile and head back to Florida. What was the reason? He wanted to watch his Miami Gardens XPress teammates compete at the FLYRA Middle School State Championship this weekend in Bradenton. Last year's meet MVP who swept the 100,200 and 400 meter dashes has this advice to the athletes who hope to follow in his footsteps at this year's meet.
"'l'd tell them to give it there best out there. The reason we go to this meet is to break middle school records."
