Torrence Walker Takes 3 Victories At WV State Champs


*Torrence Walker grabbed state titles at the West Virginia State Championships

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Two years ago, Torrence Walker finished third in the 200m at the 3A West Virginia State Championships, which was the only individual event he competed in.

This year, he won all the sprints, set a new state record and even set a new personal best in the 400m. He entered the meet as the fastest 100m, 200m and 400m sprinter in the state and he matched those expectations. 

To start off his state championships at UC Stadium at Laidley Field Track Stadium, Wheeling Park's senior broke the 100m state record in 10.50. The previous record of 10.59 was set back in 2000 by Derrick Johnson. 



Now in the finals, he didn't have the best start as he didn't have a quick reaction to the starting gun. His teammate Jerrae Hawkins Jr. blasted out of the blocks and charged to an early lead. Walker kept pushing and slowly closed on the freshman until he took over the race with a few meters left of the straightaway.

Hawkins came across the line in 10.59, which would have tied the old state record, and Hawkins finished second in 10.75. South Charleston's Bruce Williams picked up third. 




Later in the day, Walker, Hawkins and Williams lined up in the 200m in the middle of the track.

Williams had an explosive block start as he tore up the curve and extended his drive phase for over 20m. Compared to the 100m, Walker's block start was an improvement and he was able to make up some stagger on the field in the middle of the curve.

As they approached the straightaway, Williams and Walker were pretty much even, while Hawkins was right on their heels. Walker had the strength and was able to get to the finish line first in 21.43.

He was just shy of former Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders (1993-2002) wide receiver and 1992 Olympian sprinter James Jett's 21.39 state record. Jett set this record back in 1989. 

Hawkins grabbed the silver in 22.07 and Williams earned his second third-place finish of the day in 22.17. 




In his only 400m race of the year, Walker left everything out on the track.

Within the first 150m of this race, he took control of the race. Coming off the final turn, he was running against the clock. In a solo effort, Walker set a new personal best of 48.45.

Walker showed so much improvement in this event throughout his senior year. During the indoor season, he ran a personal best of 54.56. He shaved eight seconds in the 400m since February. 

Even while having a dominant state championship, Walker has not lost a single final this outdoor season. 





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