I LOVE researching high school phenoms and I came across Darrell Robinson who ran 44.9 back in 1982!!!
Anyhow, I found a really good article about his life and you can read it below. I thought it was interesting how the coach at UCLA at the time said: “He was genetically predisposed to run 400 meters. There probably weren’t that many things he could have done athletically as well, but it was perfect for him to run the 400.”
10.4 as a 15 year old is ridiculous! Hmm, I would guess this is due to above average stride frequency as the strength level at 15 is not yet set in place.
I just looked up Jazeel Murphy and saw that he is from Jamaica. No wonder why he’s so good at a young age, Jamaica has great coaches as well as the proper environment. No doubt that is one impressive time! Check out the article as he does NO weights at this point and I also found a interesting statement by Ato Bolden.
“I have a theory that most of the prodigies in track and field do not end up being the best professionals,” said Boldon. "And I think that’s just part of it. The reason that some of these kids are such good juniors (is) because they’re ahead of the curve and the curve catches up and that’s it.
I’m not sure you guys appreciate how fast 44.69 is. If you use scoring tables, it’s the same performance as running 10.02. Keep in mind that wind will almost never help a 400m race, so the opportunity to improve a PB through wind doesn’t present itself like it does the 100m.
Tyler Christopher, the Canadian record holder and 2005 World Bronze Medalist, has only run faster than 44.69 twice, if my information is correct.
Your right, especially back in the early 80s. Wow, what I would do to SEE that race. And good info about the 400 in relation to the wind; I never thought about that.
Depends on Ato’s interpretation of “prodigy” - if he means early developers, then he’s right. If he means giant talent for events on the T&F program, he’s probably not right. For starters, most female athletics prodigies (true prodigies) will stay in athletics because there are few alternative sports for them other than basketball, hockey or soccer which lend themselves to running. As for throwing or jumping prodigies, well, they really have even fewer sporting alternatives.
Now if he’s talking males, prodigious talent in distance running will probably stay in distance running - there are any number of African stories of kids like Haile Gebrselassie winning at youth and junior level and remaining in the sport.
And if he’s talking male sprints, well most of the true sprint prodigies like Usain Bolt stayed on the track.