Grant Holloway Smashes 6A Indoor State Title Record

Lost in the excitement of last weekend's 5A/6A meet was the demolition of a fourteen-year-old VHSL record.

With wins in the high jump, long jump, 500, and 55-meter hurdles, Grassfield's Grant Holloway broke the state record of six individual titles, which was previously held by Handley High distance standout Bobby Lockhart (2000-2002).

Holloway entered the meet with four individual titles in hand -- the 55-meter hurdles in 2014 (7.45), and 2015 (meet and facility record of 7.19). He also won the high jump in 2014 (6-10) and last year's long jump (23-6.25).

Holloway's assault on Lockhart's mark began taking form on Friday. Competing in the high jump, the Grizzly senior was taken to the brink of elimination by soon-to-be Florida Gator "brother" Noah Lyles of T.C. Williams who almost matched Holloway jump for jump as the bar climbed to 6'10". While both jumpers missed the final height, Holloway earned the win at 6-8 by virtue of fewer missed jumps.

The high jump was Holloway's only individual event on Friday. However, he earned his way into Saturday's finals for two events, the 55 and 55-meter hurdles, breezing to semifinal wins.

This set the stage for an incredible record breaking Saturday. Holloway started to turn on the steam in his first race, the 55-meter hurdles, breaking his own existing state and Boo Williams facility record while winning with a blazing time of 7.14 seconds. With the victory, Holloway moved into a tie with Lockhart.

He got slightly derailed from his quest in the next event, the 55, as both Noah and Josephus Lyles (6.24) nipped Holloway (6.30) at the tape, with Josephus' time of 6.21 seconds winning the race. However, the trio did find a few seconds after the race to engage in a communal "Gator Chop," perhaps signifying their future as teammates, which will begin next year in Tallahassee.

The deadlock only lasted for three more events. In the 500, with the day's closest finish, Holloway needed every inch of his 6-foot-3 frame to out lean Josephus Lyles at the finish line by .01 second, winning in a US #1 time of 1:03.35. However, there would be little time for Holloway to celebrate his newest state record.

Just thirty minutes later, Holloway earned his eighth career title, winning the long jump in 24-11, a Herculean feat, considering how tired his legs had to be so soon after running a grueling 500.

Fortunately, Holloway's day was finished, except for the numerous interviews.

He credited part of his performance with being able to rest the previous week, as Holloway attended, but did not participate in, the 6A South Regional, in order to save his energy for States.

So, how did he occupy his time during the Region meet?

After receiving his fourth and final gold medal of the meet, Holloway explained. "I was busy helping Miss Mary Ann (Magnant) take pictures." In fact, there is visual proof of Holloway, camera in hand, taking pictures of other events for Milestat.com during the 6A South meet.

As a team, Grassfield finished third behind Western Branch and T.C. Williams scoring 67 points to their 72 & 69. With his four first-place finishes, and third in the 55, Holloway accounted for 46 of them.

Not bad for a weekend's worth of work. Moreover, he might have picked up another hobby along the way. Smile for the camera….and say... GATOR!!!