Josiah Stephens, a sophomore at Hayfield Secondary School, is currently running his second season in track and field. Last year, in 2024, during indoor season of track, Stephens was announced as the fastest freshman in his district. But, as time goes by, the question still stands: will he keep the title and how will he handle the pressure? This is Stephens’ thoughts and opinions on how he’ll run this season and what’s to come in his future. One of Stephens’ friends who is also a sophomore and a fellow track and field runner, Myron Floyd, shares his view on how his teammates’ progress will go and how he feels dealing with the title.
How do you feel being the fastest freshman for your first season?
“Pretty good. I felt like it was hard to do because of the work I had to put in,” Stephens said.
He described the achievement as rewarding but challenging due to the amount of effort required. Stephens has been playing football most of his life, and he plans to keep up the title in his sophomore year.
What are your goals for this season, and how do you think you’re going to achieve them?
“My goal this season is to run somewhere close to 10.9 seconds and then break 22 seconds in the 200 meters,” Stephens said. “The way I would achieve it would be working hard after hours, after practice.”
Stephens shares his goals and achievements this year and touches on how he wants to accomplish them. Through more practice and hardship, Stephens has high hopes for his future and wants to reach more times for himself with nothing to hold back. But, with the title on the line, there is bound to be competition.
What are your thoughts about Josiah being titled the fastest freshman last year?
“Personally, I don’t think that’s true, but it’s gonna be false this year because I’m the fastest sophomore this year,” Floyd said. “Even though he may be faster than me right now, l’ve been working twice as hard and twice as harder than him in practice, and I’ve actually been showing up, unlike him.”
Floyd presses on about the title of the fastest sophomore and is willing to put up a challenge for it. He emphasizes the importance for Stephens to avoid being overly cocky, suggesting it might backfire if Josiah loses. He pointed out the facts that Josiah has been absent for practices and is currently faster than Floyd, but soon it may change.
Floyd, what do you think this year looks like for Stephens?
“Josiah, I feel like his future’s gonna be good in track and in football, wherever he goes,” Floyd said. “I know he’s going to move after this year, which can open up a chance for the title, and I’m pretty confident that I’ll hold it when he lives. But he’ll do great.”
Stephns seems to have a bright furture a head and the alot of rival for the title of fastest sophomore.
