The middle of an intense 100m hurdle race at the University of Texas track and field stadium.
On May 3, the University of Texas at Austin hosted the TX UIL 5A State Championships. Under the relentless sun and the crack of starter pistols, athletes across the state came to showcase their talents. For many, this was not just a race but a culmination of early morning practices, tiring workouts, and persistence. This photo essay captures athletes, including Carnegie’s Laila Payne, who gave their all in a competition where every second mattered.
It is the start of a long competition day. Runners are strewn across the field, stretching, practicing and warming up as the audience fills in.
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