Boys NBNI Highlights
The boys one mile race walk isn't the most glamorous race, but for Lake Brantley sophomore Juan Moscoso the event runs in the family. Moscoso was the runner-up at NBNI with a time of 6:23, a little more of a second off a sophomore national record. He says is family started race walking when his sister Maite did it around ten years ago.
"My sister made a few national teams, and my mom made it to the Olympic trials so that's helped keep me motivated."
This marked the second year competing at indoor nationals for the youngster. He competed at New Balance Nationals Outdoors and was third as an 8th grader, third indoors as a freshman, and runner-up at outdoor nationals where he set a freshman national record. He knows the opportunities the unique event brings can serve as motivation.
"I don't think that I'm a bad runner but I'm nowhere near as good running as I am racewalking .Since middle school my mom has been my racewalking coach and it's been hard to manage both racewalking and running , and because of this I only racewalk about once a week.
Moscoso won't be taking a break. In a few weeks he is headed to Philadelphia with a chance to qualify for the U.S. National team and attend the Pan-American Cup in Peru with team USA.
LSU signee and Northeast senior Damion Thomas is one of the top hurdlers in the country outdoors and he proved he belonged with the best of the best indoors as well. The senior finished second behind FSU signee Trey Cunningham in the 60m hurdles with an US#3 time of 7.64. The mark was the 10th best all-time indoors while Cunningham's time of 7.40 was a new high school national record. Thomas dad and coach had this to say after the race.
"For Damion to run 7.64 in the 60H and finish 2nd was a great accomplishment, especially being that it is his first year doing an indoor season and the first half of his race his the weakest. We are pleased with the indoor season he had and looking forward to the outdoor season.
Trey was impressive and as a fan of track and field I always enjoy and respect an athlete setting a record at any level."
- Rikkio Brathwaite (IMG Academy) - 2nd - Boys Emerging Elite 200m - 21.92
- Anthony Bryan (South Walton High School) - 7th - Boys Championship Pentathlon
- Jacob D'Aleo (South Walton High School) - 11th - Boys Freshman Mile - 4:34.64