* Bryson Jacobs broke the Missouri state record at the Kansas Relays
Down in Texas, the UIL Region Championship weekend over-delivered on elite performances. We saw national leads, state records, and hundreds of breakthrough performances.
It was also a big weekend in the world of relay meets, with both the Kansas Relays in Lawrence, Kan. and the Eastern Relays in Louisville, Ky.
The National Performer of the Week poll will close at 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, April 24, and the winner will be announced shortly after.
Take a look at five of the top-performing boys from last weekend in outdoor track & field.
This Week's Nominees:
Brayden Williams, Duncanville (Texas): MileSplit Texas's William Grundy said best, "Brayden Williams is redefining the limits of high school sprinting." At the UIL 6A Region 2 meet, Williams became the second high schooler to run under 10 seconds in the 100m in three separate races. In the prelims, he ran 9.82 (+6.0), followed by a 9.95 (+4.1) in the finals. Williams is oh-so-close to the official Texas record of 10.13, held by Matthew Boling.
Lincoln Herald, Grant County (Ky.): At the 2025 Eastern Relays in Louisville, Herald broke the tape in the 3200m, running 8:53.77 in his season debut. Not only was that a PB for Herald, but also a school record and the fifth-fastest time in state history. He also finished fourth in the mile in 4:14.88, his second PB of the weekend. The senior is heading to Lexington to become a Kentucky Wildcat, in August, but Herald is seeking a pair of state titles in the meantime.
William King, Dickinson (Texas): At his respective UIL 6A Region meet in Webster, King clocked the new national lead in the 300mH, running 36.15, a new lifetime best. The senior now sits 15th all-time in the state of Texas and became the 17th Texan to run under 36.20. With the best time in the state and a 9-2 record, King is the favorite for the UIL 6A title.
Bryson Jacobs, Adrian (Mo.): Heading into his first Kansas Relays, the junior had a lifetime and season best of 198-01.25, which put him third in Missouri's record books. On his third throw of the day, Jacobs launched the javelin 213-03.5, a new Missouri state record. On his next two throws, Jacobs threw 211-4 and 210-10, two of the greatest throws in state history.
Jackson Norris, Humble Atascocita (Texas): Before heading to the University of Southern California this fall, the long jump standout is chasing a 6A title after finishing runner-up a year ago. Although he hasn't hit his PB this season, Norris has jumped 24 feet or further three times, with two of them being wind-legal. His most recent SB came from the UIL 6A - Region 3, where he soared 24-5.75 to pick up his fifth win of the season.
NPOTW's Previous Indoor Winners:
Week 1: Jeremiah Patton, Memphis Central (Tenn.)
Week 2: Jack Ouellette, Xavier (Conn.)
Week 3: Aiden Monistere, Parkview Baptist (La.)
Week 4: Ryan Buskey, Colonie (N.Y.)
Week 5: Ryan Dierenfield, Billings-Skyview (Mont.)
Week 6: Owen Kelley, Bentonville (Ark.)
Week 7: Tayvon Kitchen, Crater (Ore.)
Week 8: Nick Altheimer, Kitsap Fliers Track (Wash.)
Week 9: Corbin Coombs, Organ Mountain (N.M.)
Week 10: Riku Sugie, Thomas Nelson (Ky.)
NPOTW's Previous Outdoor Winners:
Week 1: Tommy Latham, Marist (Ga.)
Week 2: Eric Rose, Leander Glenn (Texas)
Week 3: Joseph Socarras, Belen Jesuit Preparatory (Fla.)