GERMAIN SMITH-MATA (2ND FROM RIGHT) COMPETES IN THE 2O23 TEXAS RELAYS!
Everything is bigger in Texas, but when it comes to speed the Lone Star state had no answer for Warren Easton's Germain Smith-Mata, who made his Saturday by becoming the first La. high school boy to win the Division 1 100m at the historic Texas Relays.
Smith-Mata won with a time of 10.21. It's the fastest time in Louisiana this year and is tied for No.2 nationally.
"It always feels great to make history," Smith-Mata said.
He went to Austin motivated to represent Louisiana.
"I did it for Louisiana, mainly," Smith-Mata said. "Most people look at states like Texas and Florida and say that those are the top states, but Louisiana has some heat too."
Going in, Smith-Mata was focused on his start. Midway through the race, he found himself well out in front of the competition on the track at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
"I was not really surprised that it wasn't closer than it was because I know how well I can start," Smith-Mata said.
Saturday's win on the biggest stage was extra sweet after Smith-Mata started the Louisiana HS indoor season with a loss to Jelani Watkins, one of the fastest sprinters in Texas, at the Louisiana High School Classic.
Watkins ran a 6.75 to win the 60m. Smith-Mata was second with a time of 6.78.
After high school Watkins and Smith-Mata will be trading places. Watkins is headed to LSU to play wide receiver for the LSU football team. Smith-Mata has signed with the University of Houston Track & Field team, coached by legendary sprinter Carl Lewis.
Smith-Mata was not the only Warren Easton sprinter to make the finals of the 100m at the Texas Relays. Takeila Williams finished sixth with a time of 12.11.
In other results, Scotlandville's Makeriah Harris finished third in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.64. Lillian Harden from Bridgeland won with a time of 13.22.
Another Scotlandville hurdler--Broderick Davis-- finished on the podium as well. Davis ran a time of 13.74. Mason Dossett from Fort Bend Ridge Point won with a time of 13.27.