Shavique Bascus Ran For His Late Father At Adidas Nationals

Jun 19, 2023

* Shavique Bascus, a graduate of Clarke Central (GA), was the standout performer at adidas Outdoor Nationals this weekend

Photo Credit: Josh Brown/MileSplit

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GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Sometime before the final race of his final high school season, in what would be the last meet of his prep career, Shavique Bascus sent out a prayer to his late father.

It was Father's Day, after all, and Bascus was spending his time on the track pursuing the very thing his family had encouraged him to do. His father, he later said, would have wanted that.

"I'll win this one for pops," he said.

That Bascus did and more on Sunday at adidas Outdoor Nationals, clocking a U.S. No. 9 time of 20.64 (-0.1) seconds in the 200m, despite a minor headwind.

He finished the three-day national championship meet with two titles, including the 100m championship on Saturday, and he walked home with arguably the most impressive performances of the entire meet with his send-off in the 200m.

"I executed a really good race," said Bascus, who clocked a time of 20.74 in the prelims and coasted through the line. "I actually watched that race (my prelim) 20 times going into the finals. I'm going to do the same exact thing I did. This time, I'm just going to finish through the line.

"That's what I did," he added. "I had a perfect race."

Now, Bascus was no sleeper in Georgia.

He had won GHSA Class 5A state titles in the 100m and 200m in 10.56 and 21.12, respectively, and he had gone on to claim a Wingfoot Night of Champions title in the 200m in 20.89 seconds.

But in many ways, Bascus' performances over these last few weeks were only beginning to touch the surface of his potential.

What's more, this weekend's efforts at Truist Stadium were a small reminder of what may lay ahead, as Bascus signed with North Carolina A&T over the National Letter of Intent period. He's just two years into his track and field career.

With Aggies coach Allen Johnson watching along, Bascus dazzled on the track, converting on three personal record times across four races.

"I'm not no track specialist," Bascus said. "This is my second year."

Just after Bascus' high school season for Clarke Central, one that saw him record a best of 20.91 seconds at Regions and four performances under 10.60 seconds int he 100m, his coach left for another job, leaving him to fend for himself with training.

"I had the perfect race."

That didn't bother him.

"I be on YouTube watching workouts," he said. "From Google. Look up whatever event and the workout should be there."

So he didn't skip a beat once on the track at North Carolina A&T.

And while Bascus sneaked into the 100m finals on Friday, he left no doubt on Saturday, rushing through the line for the fastest wind-legal performance of his career.

While it was the culminating meet of a high school career, it was the start of a promising new collegiate journey.

"My family is my biggest motivation," he said. "I want to shout out to them for being on me."

Photo Credit: Josh Brown/MileSplit