Winter in Florida brings on the onslaught of high school track practices, with the start of the outdoor season just underway. Yes, our athletes participate in indoor track, but as there are few facilities dedicated to indoor track as we have weather that supports outdoors, indoor is used primarily to get in shape and tweak out technique. Over the course of the next three months, we will be seeing the best and brightest of our youth stepping into the blocks, ring, and starting their run! Today, we feature one of Northeast FL's best athletes in Paxon School's Braxton Canady.
Canady, senior at Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville, is quickly becoming the breakout hurdler of the year. Braxton has quietly worked his way to being the #1 hurdler in the state of FL, and currently holds the #1 time in the US in the 60mH for HS boys with a 7.75 that he ran on Saturday at the David Oliver Invitational, Winston-Salem, NC, as well as the FL state #1 times in the 55mH and 55m. Like Nia, Braxton began running in 8th grade, but says "It just hit me, came and swooped me up like an eagle".
He loves all of the different events in T&F, but his hurdles, both intermediate and high, are definitely his favorites. He credits his father, Bruce Canady for his success. Mr. Canady does what it takes and will provide what is needed in order for Braxton to succeed. Aleec Harris is the one athlete that Braxton looks up to, and when asked about who he compares himself to, he doesn't really see anyone in particular, as he feels as though he is unique in his style.
Braxton is a very quiet young man, and to interview him was like pulling teeth. He doesn't like to talk about himself much, and clearly prefers to let his feet do the talking. Braxton trains year round, and he feels as though he's finally found the best coach for him, Harold Rose. When asked about college, we had to speak with his coach, as he was rather cagey about his choices. Coach Rose confided that Braxton currently has over 30 scholarship offers from colleges and universities all over the US. He has begun narrowing it down, but will likely decide more toward the end of February. Braxton truly enjoys running at the out of state meets, and one of his short term goals is to run at "Tracktown USA" in Oregon. Long term? Braxton plans to use his track prowess to pay for college in order to be successful enough to raise a family, and the 2020 Olympics. When wished good luck on his weekend in NC, his response was, "luck is for those who lack confidence"..... Braxton clearly has plenty of confidence.
- 55mH (in) - 7.23
- 60mH (in) - 7.75
- 100m - 10.92
- 110mH - 14.09
- 200m - 22.76
- 300mH - 38.24
- 400mH - 54.75
- Long Jump - 21-4
