Track News

By Steve Fryer
OCVarsity.com
Photo

Credit: Dylan Stewart, Prep Cal Track

Servite junior Max Thomas accomplished many firsts this track and field season. 

The sprinter finished first in the 100 and 200 meters at the Arcadia Invitational. First in the 100 and 200 in the Trinity League finals. First in the 100 and 200 in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 finals. 

Thomas’ consistent first-to-the-finish-line performances make him the Register’s boys track and field athlete of the year. 

His best time in the 100 during the high school season was 10.58 seconds when he won at Arcadia. That was the seventh-best time in California this season. His personal-best in the 200 was 21.37, the fourth-fastest time in the state this season, also at the Arcadia Invitational.

“My PRs (personal records) at Arcadia,” said Thomas, when asked earlier this week for his junior season highlights. “Winning league finals was special, as well.” 

Brandon Thomas, Max’s father who also is a Servite track assistant coach, said his son showed an aptitude for the sprints at age 9.

“I always knew he had the talent for it,” Brandon said. “And when he got to high school he started getting some really decent times.” 

Thomas won the 100 at the Orange County Championships at 10.81. He did not compete in the 200 at that meet. Thomas left the meet to play for Servite’s soccer team, for which he was a starting forward, in a playoff game. 

Thomas also was the anchor for Servite’s 4×100 relay that had a season-best of 42.15, third-fastest in the county.

“Max is a great kid and a great teammate,” Servite coach Richard Gibbs. “He knows it’s about the team and the other guys on the team know that with him it’s about the team. I’ve been lucky to have a ton of really great guys who were also great athletes, and Max is right there at the top with (NFL star) Matt Slater.”