- May 3, 2024
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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.”
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.
