INDEX:
4. Reese Vannerson
Houston Strake Jesuit, TX
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Vannerson is no stranger to the AAU Junior Olympic Games.
This week marked the fourth straight year that the rising sophomore from Houston Strake Jesuit High School had earned at least one gold medal, and his performances at 1,500m and 3,000m went even further than that.
His times of 4:11.95 and 9:15.47, respectively, ultimately went down as the No. 1 performances of the Freshman Class for 2020.
More than that, they indicated just how much development Vannerson has been accruing over all these years. The Texan has improved in the 1,500m in every single year, cutting 23 seconds off from his 4:34 as a 12-year-old in 2017.
Sure enough, they didn't come easy, either.
Vannerson fought off a valiant challenge from Miguel Pantojas in the 1,500m, and he knew it. The young Texan kept looking behind his shoulder in the final 100m, though he had just enough in the tank to claim victory.
Vannerson should continue his ascension in the Texas distance running ranks this cross country season.