Illustrating the talent showcased by athletes competing at Speed Capital Series events, Florida’s Erriyon Knighton shattered the boys 15-16 national record in the 200 meters with a time of 20.33 at the AAU National Junior Olympics in Satellite Beach, FL on August 7th. Slated to compete in Speed Capital’s Southeast Invitational in May 2021, Knighton beat the previous national record of 20.62 and his own personal best of 20.89 to establish himself as the fastest 16-year-old in the country.
“It’s the moment I’ve been training for. I’m really happy having executed it,” said the high school junior who also plays football at Tampa’s Hillsborough High. “It’s not easy but nothing worth having comes easy. I’m going to continue working hard until I’ve hit every goal that I’ve set for myself on the track.”
In only his second year as a competitive runner, Knighton is already being compared to Usain Bolt, the Jamaican Olympian considered to be the best sprinter of all time with current world records in the 100 and 200 meters and the 4 x 100 relay.
“Erriyon is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, he is literally that special,” said Jonathan Terry, Knighton’s coach at My Brother’s Keeper Track Club. When asked what makes him this special, Terry replied, “His work ethic, his will to compete, and his desire to win every competition he competes in are simply unmatched. Couple that with his natural talent for running and I firmly believe that he will find the podium on the Olympic stage before his career concludes.”
Knighton is one of several marquee athletes planning to compete at Speed Capital Series events. Launching with SC Central in April of 2021, the series has a total of seven events scheduled in 2021 including SC Southeast, SC Southwest, SC Midwest, SC Mid-Atlantic, and SC Northeast.
“Erriyon loves to compete. The Speed Capital Series will host many talented athletes at locations across the country; he wants to race the best to further solidify his position and push himself to new heights,” said Terry.