Kentucky Sprinter Langston Jackson Leaves Mark On State Record Book

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

Langston Jackson had two goals heading into his senior season: break records and win a state championship as a team.

The two-sport athlete at Henry Clay High in Kentucky had two weeks off after football season to prepare for track and accomplish those feats. 

“Football definitely drove my competitive spirit in track to not only win but to strive to be the best at my events,” Jackson said. 

After a few days of hard practice leading up to the state meet, sandwiched in between a couple of fun games of kickball, Jackson and his coach Demetrius Gay focused on his endurance and speed in order to prepare for the end of races and to perfect his drive phase. Those workouts paid huge dividends. 

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Jackson defended his outdoor titles in both the 100-meter dash and 200 at the KHSAA State Championships. His ran a US#3 time of 10.23 seconds to break the all-time state record. Then he won the 200 in a meet-record time of 20.73.  

“During the 100 I felt like my start was the best I’ve had,” he said. “After I got out, I didn’t look back and pushed all the way through the line. The 200 was stressful because there was a false start, which kind of threw me off, but actually ended up motivating me because I know what false-starting felt like.” 

The University of Kentucky signee false started in the 60-meter dash at New Balance Nationals Indoor and experienced the heartbreak first hand. He didn’t want that same feeling on his future home track. Coach Gay had a front row seat to the Langston Jackson Show and called it “unbelievable.”  

“I knew coming in that he had a shot at both records because of the work that he had put in this season,” Gay said. “It means a lot for him to put his name in the record books. He is the most dedicated, humble and hardworking kid that I have been around.” 

Gay also appreciated Jackson’s commitment to the team success. In addition two his two individual golds, he also anchored the winning 4x100 and 4x200 relay squads. 

“The day was all that I had hoped for since being in high school,” Jackson said. “Going out on top in all my events and being able to help my team win the relays means a lot to me.” 

Jackson won’t have to travel far for the next stage of his running career. The sprint standout will stay in the Bluegrass State. A Lexington native, he has chosen to compete in the blue and white and don the Wildcats uniform.

The recruiting process had some obstacles, however. 

“Coach Flo (Edrick Floreal) had been recruiting me to Kentucky before leaving to Texas and I had always dreamed about going to Texas to play sports since I was little,” he said. 

He narrowed his choices to Houston, Texas, Kentucky, Penn State and Michigan, but once he went on a visit to UK and met the coaching staff, he was sold. 

“They told me they didn’t want to let any other schools come into Kentucky and take me away,” Jackson noted. “They recruited me heavily and we talked a lot and I ended up staying home. It feels amazing because I’m 100 percent committed to UK track and making sure I give my all for the university, my teammates and my community.” 

Coach Gay believes Jackson and the Wildcats are a perfect fit. 

“I think UK got a steal,” he said. “He has yet to scratch the surface with his potential. Now that he can focus just on track it is going to be a treat to see what he can do.” 

Next up, Jackson will compete June 15 at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle. 

“They messaged me on Instagram and then I got the box in the mail,” he said. “I was shocked because I didn’t think I would be getting invited to a meet all the way across the country. I’m looking forward to meeting all the athletes at the meet, making new friends, and running against the best in the nation.” 

After his trip to the Pacific Northwest, Jackson will return to Kentucky and continue to train and prepare for college.  

“I hope to make it to the Olympics one day and I feel like going to Kentucky will give me the best opportunity to do that,” he said.