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Florida standouts Thomas Burns, Tyrese Cooper, Myles Schreck, and Sophia Falco will compete in New Mexico this weekend at the Great Southwest Classic.
Thomas Burns (pictured above) is the top seed in the 300 meter hurdles by nearly a second with his Florida all-time #2 and current US#1 35.57. Burns, the younger brother of Pittsburgh Steeler cornerback and former hurdle great Artie Burns, set a state meet record 35.90 four weeks ago. He was scheduled to go run at the NSAF Caribbean Scholastic Invitational in Cuba this past weekend, but due to issues with his passport couldn't attend. He will be hungry and ready to lower that PR in the favorable Albuquerque atmosphere.
Tyrese Cooper was third last year in the 200m dash, but is making his second trip out west in as many weeks after winning the Prefontaine Classic against a loaded field in a US#1 20.51, a wind legal personal best for the sophomore sensation from Miami. The nation's number one quarter-miler is the defending champion in that event when he ran 46.04. He ended 2016 running 45.23 at the AAU Junior Olympic Games and won his second straight title at the beginning of May in 45.51. He will be the clear favorite in both events.
Rounding out the boys field is thrower Myles Schreck of Trinity Prep. Schreck isn't as well known as his two male counter parts listed above and that's because his main event is the hammer throw, an event not contested at the state level in Florida. His personal best of 164-5 is the fourth best in the ten person field.
The lone girl from Florida is Vanderbilt signee Sophia Falco who will compete in the 100, long jump and triple jump. Falco, who recently graduated form Lakewood Ranch is in the top three events and will be pushed more than arguably ever before. She won state titles and Flo Golden South trophies in both the jumps and was second at state in the 100 behind Symone Mason. In the 100 her PR of 11.57 will go head to head with two Texans, Sha'Carri Richardson and Essance Sample. The long jump will pit Falco against fellow 20 footer Maya Evans of Colorado (20-10) and fellow 42 foot triple jumper Imani Carothers of Illinois who has leaped two inches more (42-10).
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