For this week’s FloAwards, we decided to honor the high schoolers who solidified themselves on the world stage and all-time high school record-books. Candace Hill and Kate Hall are currently ranked No. 10 and No. 9 on the IAAF world list in the 100m and long jump, respectively, after their performances at the Brooks PR Invitational and New Balance Nationals. And Rai Benjamin, Andrew Hunter and Donovan Brazier threw down historic runs in the 400m hurdles, 2 mile and 800m, respectively, to claim national dominance. 

 

Flo Performances

1. Candace Hill Becomes Fastest 100m Runner in High School History

Candace Hill made the crowd rise to their feet at the Brooks PR Invitational after clocking a wind-legal time of 10.98 in the girl’s 100m, which is the fastest mark ever run by a high schooler. The 16-year-old ran her way to a world youth best, the American junior record and the U.S. high school record when she dipped under the 11-second mark at Shoreline Stadium on Saturday. In perfect conditions in Seattle, Wash., the Atlanta native took advantage of a +2.0 tailwind to run 10.98, which currently ranks No. 10 in the world. Only three Americans, Tori Bowie, English Gardner, and Jenna Prandini have run faster wind-legal times. Hill’s previous personal best was 11.21, which she ran at the adidas Grand Prix a week prior. 

 

Watch Hill’s historic race at the Brooks PR Invitational: 
 

 

2. Kate Hall Jumps No. 9 Long Jump Mark in the World

Kate Hall exploded on the scene with a 6.83m in the long jump at New Balance Outdoor Nationals, which now stands as a national high school record, an American junior record, and a huge personal best for the 18-year-old. Hall’s mark broke the oldest high school girl’s field event record Sunday in Greensboro, shattering the 39-year-old record set by Kathy McMillan in 1976. The mark is the third-best distance recorded by an American this season, behind Tianna Bartoletta and Quanesha Burks.  

 

3. Rai Benjamin Dips Under 50-Seconds in 400m Hurdles, Cracks U.S. Top 10 All-Time

For the first time in his career, Rai Benjamin dipped under the 50-second barrier in the 400m hurdles, clocking 49.97 at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals. The mark stands as a nation-leading time and the third fastest mark in meet history. The Mount Vernon senior had a previous personal best of 50.45 which he ran in Armonk, New York at the Westchester County Championships on May 17. 

 

Watch Benjamin’s reaction after breaking the 50-second barrier:
 

 

4. Andrew Hunter Beats Sub-4 Miler Grant Fisher 

In one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend, Andrew Hunter powered his way down the homestretch of Shoreline Stadium to claim the Brooks PR 2 mile victory against Dream Mile Champion Grant Fisher. The junior from Loudoun Valley broke the Virginia state 3200m record with his winning time of 8:42.51, which converts to an 8:39.48 3200m. Not only did the performance earn Hunter a national title, but he can also claim to have beaten a formidable opponent in Fisher, who is a two-time Dream Mile champion, two-time Foot Locker Champion and the reigning New Balance Outdoor 2 Mile Champion.  

 

Watch Hunter’s stunning performance at the Brooks PR Invitational:
 

5. Donavan Brazier Runs Solo 1:47 for U.S. No. 4 800m

Brooks PR saw another jaw-dropping performance in Donavan Brazier’s fearless run to victory in the 800m at Shoreline Stadium on Saturday. Brazier exploded from the line, splitting 53-seconds in the opening 400m with the pack. He pulled away at the bell and finished three-seconds ahead of the field, clocking 1:47.55 at the finish line to keep his undefeated streak alive this outdoor season. The mark stands as the fourth-fastest time in high school history. 

 

Watch Brazier’s run to victory at Shoreline Stadium: