Burns Flies Through 300mH Undefeated, Wins First Ever National Title In 400mH
Burns, the younger brother of former Miami Hurricane and current Pittsburgh Steeler cornerback Artie Burns, had some large shoes to fill. Not only did he fill them, he succeeded his brother's accomplishments this spring.
In the 110m hurdles, Burns faced off with Damion Thomas much of the season, and finished as the 3A runner-up behind the LSU signee. He'll be the first to tell you that the sprint hurdles and aren't his forte and that his skill set lends way to the longer distances.
"What makes me a good hurdler is my foot speed, endurance, and technique throughout the race," he said.
The Bulls star was a workhorse in the 300m hurdles competing in the event seventeen times throughout the season. During that time he went undefeated and consistently dropped US#1 times including his first sub 36 at the GMAC Championship (35.81). He ran 35.57 at the 3A Region 4 Championship and followed that up with his first individual state championship in a state meet record of 35.90.
Burns wasn't finished. He decided to head to New Mexico and the Great Southwest Classic with several other South Florida speedsters with his eyes set on the overall state record set by Olympian and mentor Bershawn "Batman" Jackson. Burns 35.25 was not only a new record and a US#1 mark, but the high point of his junior season.
"The high point of my season was that race," he said. "It means a lot to to me to break somebody's record who I looked up to when I was younger. To know at this age that I'm at his level or even better right now at this age is exciting."
If the thrill of victory wasn't enough, Burns made his 400m hurdler debut at New Balance Nationals and went 1-1 winning his first national title in 50.63. He dropped a new personal best of 50.12 and had one of the fastest times heading into the finals at USA Juniors, but failed to make the team finishing in fourth. Overall, he was pleased with the 2017 season.