LAKEWOOD — At this time of year, Mullen junior Malik McKinney is usually in offseason mode. Football is over. The cornerback isn’t covering anyone. It’s typically a time to relax before 7-on-7 summer drills begin and the Mustangs set their sights on another big-school state title.
Not this year.
McKinney is running track, running faster than he ever has on the gridiron, and the newcomer is positioned to run away with the Class 4A 100- and 200-meter state crowns.
In his first trip to the state meet, McKinney was seeded No. 1 in both events, and the sprinter easily won his preliminary heats Thursday at Jefferson County Stadium.
He produced a 10.79-second time in the 100 and went 22.11 in the 200, coasting to the finish line in both races.
“I still think I’m an unknown, but that’s something that really helps me,” McKinney said. “I want to make a statement.”
Ah, yes, a statement. What that might mean is breaking the 4A state meet record in the 100. The record of 10.53 was set by Gregg Trigg of Fountain-Fort Carson in 2000.
McKinney ran a 10.60 at last week’s Centennial League meet “while coasting,” his coach said.
“He’s motivated and he’s got that burning desire,” Mullen sprinting coach Brian Miles said. “I wouldn’t be surprised, at all, if he breaks it.”
Said McKinney of Saturday’s 100 final: “I can improve on (10.79) and the 10.60. I have plenty more left in the tank.”
McKinney also is running the first leg of Mullen’s 400 relay team, which finished first in Thursday’s preliminary round. Mullen is favored to win its second consecutive 4A team title.
“I’d rather win the team championship than win any individual medals,” McKinney said.
McKinney dabbled in track as a freshman and sophomore but never stuck with it.
“We talked him into coming out this year and he was an 11.4 in the 100. He was one of those kids who had a lot of raw talent, raw ability, but wasn’t sure he wanted to work to be a real sprinter,” Miles said.
“I knew he had 10.5 or 10.6 ability, but it was a matter of me getting him to believe that. He improved every day and went out to California and ran a 10.8 and the bell rung. That’s when he realized how good he could be, and his intensity and focus went up.”
McKinney said his true love will always be football, but he’s had discussions with the University of California’s track coach. He missed eight football games last season after dislocating his elbow, so his college football options aren’t as clear.
But clearly, playing football has helped McKinney become a great sprinter.
“In football you have to have a lot of strength, and I think I’ve carried that strength over to track,” he said.
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
