Best in the state—again: Adrian Killins' state championship leads Bucs to fifth-place team finish

Adrian Killins repeats as the State 3A 200-meter champion.


  • By
  • | 9:30 a.m. May 10, 2016
Adrian Killins repeats as the state's fastest 200-meter runner. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Adrian Killins repeats as the state's fastest 200-meter runner. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
  • Ormond Beach Observer
  • Sports
  • Share

There’s no better way to overcome a disappointing loss than winning a state champion. Area fast man Adrian Killins has done it twice over the last two seasons.

An early favorite to win the State 3A 100- and 200-meter runs, the Mainland senior fell short last year in the 100 by a tenth of a second, and, in a hotly contested bout, where he took sixth this season, trailing the winning by .22 seconds, Killins didn’t disappoint to capture state titles in the 200 to conclude the season, and now his high school career.

“I never thought I'd win a state title,” Killins said, “but my hard work brought me a long way. God had a plan for me, but winning the 100-meter dash wasn't one of them. But, I have no regrets in my high school career at all.”

When he began track as a freshman, Killins struggled to adjust with the older runners, but he never considered giving it up.

“The first year was terrible,” he said “but I never wanted to quit, because I had siblings and other people looking up to me.”

Adrian Killins. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
Adrian Killins. Photo by Jeff Dawsey

His early persistence helped him cope with those later state title losses, only to return and blow out his competition to become a two-time state champion.

“I feel blessed, coming in as a freshman and just staying out of trouble and listening to my parents, coaches and others around me,” Killins said. “This is only the beginning.”

Killins will continue his track and football career at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

Coach Terry Anthony, pictured with junior Danielle Hernandez, this past season as his favorite in 20 years. Photo by Barbara Hernandez
Coach Terry Anthony, pictured with junior Danielle Hernandez, this past season as his favorite in 20 years. Photo by Barbara Hernandez

 

Latest News

×

Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.