In Kevin Thompson’s eyes, there’s no rest for the weary. After a brilliant freshman campaign running sprints for North Bergen High School, capped by a sixth place finish in the 200-meter dash at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions, the youngster took to the track a little more than a week after the outdoor season concluded.
"I thought that I had to put more energy into the 100 [meter dash]," Thompson said. "I figured I was doing pretty well in the 200, so I had to work a little more on the 100."
So Thompson and his coach Yael Martinez headed for the New Jersey Junior Olympic qualifier at New Brunswick High School recently to compete for a chance to go to the regions in Buffalo July 11-14.
Little did Thompson know that he would make history while competing there.
Thompson not only qualified for the regions, but he set a meet record in the 100-meter dash in the process, snapping a mark that stood for nearly 20 years, in the intermediate boys’ (ages 15-16) division.
Thompson ran a 10.8 in the semifinals to set the meet record, then won the gold medal with a 10.9 in the finals, the fastest times the New Jersey Junior Olympic qualifiers have seen in quite some time.
"I didn’t even know that I broke the record until way later," Thompson said. "Someone told me it was a record. I couldn’t believe it. As a matter of fact, I think I could have done much better. I wasn’t really preparing the right way. I was sort of relaxing. That’s what makes me think I could do better."
"Incredibly, the 200 is more his event," Martinez said. "We brought him to this meet, but we didn’t want him to overdo it. It’s amazing how much he’s improved over the course of the year. Since the beginning of the outdoor season, he’s improved by a whole second. It’s really incredible."
Added Martinez, "It makes you wonder how much he can improve."
Thompson has had a whirlwind freshman year. He was the highest ranked freshman runner at the Meet of Champions. The Newark Star-Ledger named him the "fastest freshman in New Jersey."
"It’s been a while since we’ve had anyone at North Bergen get this kind of attention this early," Martinez said.
Of course, Thompson’s impressive run comes on the heels of teammate and friend Javier Cuevas winning the NJSIAA Group IV state championship in the 3,200-meter run last month.
"I’m very proud of what both kids have accomplished," Martinez said. "We’ve been fortunate to have some nice success, but it’s a sign of good things to come."
Especially for Thompson, who will rest a little now before heading to Buffalo for the regions and the right to qualify for the national Junior Olympics in Omaha later in July.
"We’re going to take a week or so and rest him, then run a little before Buffalo," Martinez said. "And we’ll see what happens."
"I would say that this is all almost too amazing to be true," Thompson said. "But I know I’m not going to take it in stride. I’m going to continue to work hard and do my best."
And who knows? Maybe Thompson’s best could turn into a national championship. –
Jim Hague