National Boys Performer Of The Week (5/6-5/12)

May 13, 2024

* Tommy Latham picked up a pair of distance titles at the GHSA 6A State Championships

Photo Credit: Darren Freeman/Georgia MileSplit

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Just over a week ago, Jesuit (LA) junior Brady Mullen shattered the Louisiana Class 5A state meet record of 9:06, taking off 18 seconds as he ran 8:48.36 for the win.

Before Mullen, the record had stood since 1996 and hadn't been remotely in jeopardy up until this point. For Mullen, it wasn't his personal best, but it was still his third time under 8:50 this spring.

Mullen pulled away earlier in the NPOTW voting, tallying 74.5-percent of the country's votes as he beat out American Fork's Daniel Simmons, who picked up 16-percent.

Just like last week, voting for this week's poll will close at 12:00 p.m. CST on Friday.

Have fun voting!

This Week's Nominees:

Vance Nilsson, Gilbert (AZ): It was a dream ending to a picture-perfect senior campaign. Nilsson's 300mH in-state career ends with a new national record of 34.83, breaking the 35-second barrier for the first time. Nilsson shattered Reggie Wyatt's longstanding record of 35.02, becoming the first high schooler to run his way into the 34s. The senior finished his Arizona season 24-0 over both hurdle events, ending his 110mH campaign with a state title as well in 13.70.

Tommy Latham, Marist (GA): Latham had an incredibly busy couple of days over this last weekend, winning state titles and announcing his college commitment. Down in Rome, Georgia, Latham won both the 1,600m and 3,200m at the GHSA Class 6A State Championships, clocking 4:01.66 and 9:15.26. His 1,600m performance makes him the second-fastest high schooler this spring and the top senior heading into next year. To cap off a memorable weekend, Latham announced his commitment to the University of North Carolina, where he'll be a part of a very deep class, joining Joe Barrett, Jack Bowen and Robert Mechura in the fall of 2025.

Zamarii Sanders, American Heritage (FL): Heading into the Florida postseason fresh off of running the second-fastest 200m in national history? Not too shabby. Sanders threw down a blistering 20.5 at the FHSAA Region 3A-4 Championships, winning by nearly half of a second. In the midst of his huge performance, he moved all the way up to No. 2 all-time in the sophomore class, trailing only Erriyon Knighton. Sanders will look to win his first Florida state title this weekend.

Jackson Cantwell, Nixa (MO): Cantwell crushed the sophomore class record in the shot put, throwing 74-9.75 as he became just the second sophomore to eclipse the 70-0 mark. On the way to history, Cantwell had two more throws that exceed 70-0, reaching 70-1 on two different occasions. Cantwell also won the discus in 179-1, as he'll head into state the favorite in both. Cantwell sits No. 2 and No. 4 in the country this season, and is already pushing the limits like no other thrower has before at his age.

Ervin Pearson, Buford (GA): Is there any better way to win a state title than how Pearson did so over the weekend? We don't think so. Pearson edged out the defending champion and state record-holder Sidi Njie (Westlake), becoming the first Georgian to ever run under 45.4. Up until prelims, Pearson had never gone under 45 seconds, with his PB heading into state sitting at 46.19. Pearson truly did save his best for last, running 45.90 and 45.35 back-to-back to snag the state record and his first state title all in the same race. He'll be heading to the University of Georgia this fall.