Rhett Austin leads the pack, courtesy of The Fang
After Lake Highlands High School junior Rhett Austin set a record at the Southlake Carroll Invitational in the 5K, he spoke to student journalist Brooke Barner at The Fang newspaper about the next goal on his checklist.
“I hope to make it to state in cross country this year,” he told Barner, “and I hope to keep breaking the record.”
So far, Austin is halfway there. He’ll compete at the UIL Track and Field State Meet at Mike A. Myers Stadium at the University of Texas on May 14-16.
Austin began turning heads as a freshman, when he finished fourth in the steeplechase at the Texas Relays. The steeplechase takes runners over 28 large, fixed barriers and seven water jumps. Since then, he has excelled at multiple challenges.
Steeplechase. Courtesy of Encyclopedia of Sports.
“He works hard every day to be the best that he can be,” praised LHHS track coach Alonna Miller, speaking to Barner. “He trains twice a day, and he perseveres through tough workouts. He has set the bar high, and he will do whatever it takes to be the fastest he can possibly be.”
Austin is the son of Karen Imhoof Austin, a state champion gymnast and 1987 graduate of LHHS, and Matt Austin, who played tight end and holder for Pro Bowl kicker Phil Dawson while they were both Wildcats in the early 1990s.
Austin will compete in the 1600-meter race against stellar athletes from across the state. He placed third at regionals with a personal record of 4:10:31.
Rhett Austin, courtesy of LHHS Track
