In this week's MileSplit LA Tasty Race, we take a look at the most watched open race from the LSU High School Qualifier. It's the 60m hurdles, which was won by Zachary Vederek Matthews. It was his 7.95 performance in the race which helped him to the meet's Track MVP award.
In this article, we take a look at Matthews' race as well as that of the runner-up--Mansfield's Jaden Youngblood (8.25). Both are among the best in the nation. Matthews is ranked No. 14 in the nation. Youngblood is ranked No. 15 in the nation among all juniors.
Matthews did not have the best start, but it didn't matter because he was able to get his foot down after the first hurdle faster than any of the hurdlers in the finals for the 60m hurdles.
The most impressive thing about Matthew's race is the separation he puts between himself and the other hurdlers. How does he do it? That's Easy. He gets his lead leg down quicker-and closer-to the hurdle than any of the other hurdlers in the finals.
Some hurdlers need good body lean in order to force the lead leg down. Matthews doesn't seem to have to rely on that.
Another noticeable difference between Matthews and the other hurdlers in the race is the fact that Matthews-because of his height-does not have to jump over the hurdle. He is able to step over the hurdle without much hip displacement.
Matthews only hit one hurdle-the third. Matthews does a great job of not allowing the contact with the hurdle to deter the momentum that he has gained during the first part of the race.
At the finish line, Matthews gives a lean which would make Superman proud.
In the lane next to Matthews is Youngblood, who made history as a freshman in 2021 as the first athlete in school history to win an individual state indoor title.
Honestly, Youngblood's form is similar to Matthew's. The biggest difference seems to be that Matthews is stronger than Youngblood, who is a year younger than Matthews, and thus able to generate more power.