Jeremy Rankin, the fastest prep sprinter to sink his spikes into a Colorado track, will display his speed on the world stage this summer.
Rankin learned Wednesday he will compete for Team USA at the World Youth Championships, July 11-15 in Ostrava, Czech Republic. This comes one week after the Overland High School sophomore set a state record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.32 seconds at the Class 5A state track and field meet. He was the only Colorado athlete named to the team.
“I haven’t been out of the country, so just going to a different country will be exciting,” he said. “The best parts for me are to compete against athletes from around the world and to be able to represent the country.”
Rankin, 16, knew he was a top contender for the team after he broke a 19-year-old meet record in the 100 at the National Junior Olympic championships last July.
“This was the clincher,” Rankin said. “We’ve been waiting around to see what would happen with the team, who else would be on it.”
Rankin is coached by Bill Edwards, who runs the Overland program and a club program.
“I can’t say what he’ll run, but he is light years ahead of any sprinter I’ve had at his age,” Edwards said. “At some point we’ll shoot for the national record.”
Derrick Florence, Galveston (Texas) Ball High School, ran the 100 in 10.13 in 1986.
