Vincent Brown (photo above by John Olson) had to settle for narrow runner-up finishes to Jeffrey Artis of Western Branch twice this year for state titles in the hurdles, but now can conclude his high school career with a national title to his name. The recent graduate of South Lakes High School, Brown struck gold in the finals of the young men's 110 meter hurdles at the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in Greensboro with a 14.00 clocking (-1.5 wind). Brown was the only national champion from Virginia in the meet. Results
Post-Race Interview with Vincent Brown
Go through your race today and the emotions that you felt as you crossed the finish line? On the line all I was thinking was to just get out and attack that first hurdle. I wasn't worried about anything else. When I crossed the finish line I had no clue who had won. When the announcer had called out that I had won it was the greatest feeling ever. I was the happiest person alive.
After having to settle for narrow runner-up state meet finishes in the hurdles this year twice, how does it feel to finish out high school as a USATF national champion? It feels great to finish out high school as a USATF National Champion. After losing indoor and outdoor states then finishing as a USATF Championship is a blessing. All of my hard work and determination payed off extremely well. None of this would have been possible if it wasn't for God's blessings upon me.
Was it difficult for you at all to extend your season this late this summer aftering a long high school season going way back into December for indoor? It was somewhat of a challenge because its summer and you want to be able to just relax and have fun instead of training. I had a hard time going to go to practice because I just wanted to relax but luckily my parents forced me to go and I found out that its not that bad once you get your mind set for it.
While you ran well during the spring, it seems like you have raced your best actually after the high school state meet with several sub 14 clockings. What do you attribute to this drop in performances post-state meet? After the state meet the pressure went down and that made things a lot easier when it came to running. My coach still put me through brutal workouts but when it came to the meets he would give me the space I needed to do whatever I felt was right before I had to run. The fact that I got to do my thing before I ran got me to focus more and preform better.
Vincent Brown (photo above by John Olson) had to settle for narrow runner-up finishes to Jeffrey Artis of Western Branch twice this year for state titles in the hurdles, but now can conclude his high school career with a national title to his name. The recent graduate of South Lakes High School, Brown struck gold in the finals of the young men's 110 meter hurdles at the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in Greensboro with a 14.00 clocking (-1.5 wind). Brown was the only national champion from Virginia in the meet. Results
