Strake, a Jesuit, Matthew Boling Sets a National High School Record at a State Meeting

By Adam ColemanHouston Chronicle

Update

23:47 HAC, Saturday 11 May 2019

AUSTIN – There was pressure and the hype was at its peak at the National Athletics Competition on Saturday, but Matthew Boling again met expectations.

The Jesuit of Strake won the scoring of the 100-meter boys class 6A in 10.13 seconds. It's a national high school record, surpassing Henry Neal's 10-year-old age of 29 in Greenville.

This comes two weeks after the senior scored 9.98 seconds in the regional 100, which pushed Boling-Mania to a high fever level. This time was not legal, but ranks as the fastest 100 in American high school.

Saturday's wind was correct at 10.13, at 1.3 mph, which was important to Boling.

"Honestly, when I watched the race in front of us and saw that the wind was 1.3, I was like," Oh, I'm excited. "Because after last week, everyone was saying" Oh, the wind was not legal "and that sort of thing, so I thought," Okay, I'm going to drop a quick time today. "

Boling won the long jump earlier in the day at 25 feet, 4.5 inches. His 26-3.5 Texas Relays jump to Mike A. Myers Stadium still dominates Texas.

"I was not aiming for big discs," said Boling. "As in the long jump, I only took two jumps because I just wanted to rest because I had so many events today, I had to do my job and get as many points as possible for the team. "

Although he was a member of the Jesuit Strake Jesuit Relay Team, disqualified for a zone violation, Boling did not entertain himself.

In the 1,600 relay race, he took second place and passed DeSoto's anchor with a 44.75 second split to help the Jesuit Strake take the lead in 3: 10.56. to finish second for Klein Forest in the 6A team ranking.

Boling has become a magnet for all competitions he participates in. The sign of Georgia is more than a sensation in the 100. At one point, it has occupied the top spots of the 100, 200 and the long jump in the country. His 46.15 seconds last 400 seasons are often overlooked.

The fascination revolves around the popular 100, which he had never faced until March, with 10.2 points then Texas Southern Relays and 10.1 the following week Texas Relays. Soon, 9.98 has arrived and now everything is validated by a gold medal.

Along the way, requests for autographs and images have only increased for Boling, which has been featured on ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Sport Illustrated and even on the other side of pond on BBC Five Live.

At the state meeting, there was a familiar scrum in the stands when the 100 was about to begin. Walking in the field after his run, a spectator ran for a quick selfie. And around Boling was a police escort while he was walking in the stadium on Saturday. Boling says that the attention actually helps him.

"I look up and see every time I see the crowd get up to start filming and watching, it really makes me angry," said Boling. "That's what I like in the hundred. Everyone comes to watch it and it's really fun. I did well and I was just happy. The climb and the anticipation were full of adrenaline, but it was really fun. "

It may be the end of high school for Boling, but one expects a busy summer and, with that, more expectations for himself and for others.

"I think I can keep going down," said Boling about his 100. "I have other competitions this summer, I'll try to do well, too."

As much as Boling draws him, he was not the only competitor in the Houston area to win a medal among the 6A 100 boys. Lance Broome of Seven Lakes was third at 10.40.