Landon Harris speaks to the press after winning the 2022 middle school cross country title
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Some kids reek of swag and confidence even before they step into the lion's den. As an eighth grader, Landon Harris was the talk of the Illinois running community. Yes, he was a student-athlete at Coolidge Middle School in Granite City, who got his athletic start in martial arts which he used later to kick past the competition in winning his first Illinois Elementary State Association (IESA) cross country title last fall.
Landon continued the pre-high school assault against his foes during the track season, picking up two more IESA state crowns (1600 & 800). Perhaps the biggest eye-opening performance at the HOKA Festival of Miles in June. Harris took second with a blistering time of 4:28.23. It was one of the fastest times in IL middle school history and certainly makes him a marked man this fall.
What kind of impact do you think Harris would make for Granite City in his debut, especially after saying, "Oh man they run three miles in high school?" He won on the road at Civic Memorial in 16:03.
There is no bigger pressure than starting your first high school race at home in a varsity competition... as a freshman to boot with all eyes on the prize.
While all eyes were on Dylon Nalley and the record that he set at the Granite City Invitational, Harris was cruising along in record time as a newcomer. He set the freshman standard in a brisk 15:07 to place fifth overall. This is a noteworthy effort and something for the fans to look forward to down the road at bigger meets.
Keep an eye on your calendar and mark Saturday, September 30. That is when the Warriors will make their trip to Detweiller Park and face off in the Peoria Invitational. The freshman best is 15:05 by Zach Kinne while competing for Neuqua Valley. Harris has a realistic shot at that mark. The all-time best is 14:36 by Charlie Kern of York set in 2014. Time will tell if the Granite City future star realizes his dreams to the fulliest.