Track fans are always looking to anoint the ‘next’ superstar, but most fizzle after high school. While names like Noah Lyles, Michael Norman, and Erriyon Knighton have successfully bridged that gap, I believe the – next true sprint star has arrived: Tate Taylor.
In general, most fans have become obsessed with times. An athlete runs a fast time, he’s designated as the next star. Times are nice, but it takes other things to become a star, and that’s what I’m going to speak on today. Let’s start with the basics.
Tate has a near ideal sprinting build at 6′ 2″, 165 lbs. At his height he’s still able to move with the dexterity of a much shorter sprinter. Yet cover more ground per stride because of the length of his legs. Simultaneously applying significant forces against the track. I will examine these items shortly. First let’s take a look at his progression.
- 2023 – Tate’s freshman year of his high school and introduction to track. He ran a windy 10.59 (+3.6), but as good as that is, in this era of Trackflation he was on no one’s radar.
- 2024 – As a sophomore he moved to 10.23 (#5 in the nation) and 20.66 (#6 in the nation)
- 2025 – His Junior campaign saw him become =HSR holder in the 100m @ 9.92, and run 20.14 in the 200m. Becoming =3rd all time high school in that event.
- 2026 – As a senior he ran 9.95 to lead the country and became the first high school athlete to run legally sub 20 with his HSR 19.97, which he broke with a 19.94.
After his tremendous and steady progression thru high school, Taylor is now headed to Texas Tech University, which has school records of 9.86 and 19.73 in Taylor’s core events. So what will the Red Raiders be working with in Tate Taylor?
As stated earlier, Taylor is 6′ 2″ tall, literally the perfect example of a “tall” sprinter. Short enough to have an elite turnover frequency, yet still be able to create massive ground clearance. Based on biomechanical studies of Taylor, he achieves a 41° clearance angle out of the blocks, to go with an average reaction time of 0.121s, with a peak horizontal force of 7.8 m/s squared. Translation, his start mechanics are on par with Christian Coleman. He has great angles with his shins and ankles initially out of the blocks, giving him maximum force creation against the track as he rises into acceleration.
Here, his transition to max velocity, is what truly makes him elite. His peak numbers, Top Velocity (12.38 m/s), Stride Length (2.48 meters), Stride Frequency (4.45 Hz, steps per sec), and Ground Contract Time (0.082 seconds) are all within elite levels. Leading to his elite to end speed.
Looking at high speed video capture shows that Taylor minimizes back side mechanics, instead drawing his heel up tight thru his hip joint to deliver an a aggressive strike against the track directly beneath his center of mass. This reduces breaking forces and helps maintain speed. Taylor’s late race speed retention is also elite, due to his ability to resist fatigue in the latter stages of a race. He’s able to maintain a high hip position, which in turn allows him to keep his air time/ground time ratios stable. Through all of this Tate shows minimal signs of strains. His face and jaw staying relaxed.
These are the things that make Tate Taylor the elite sprinter that he is in spite of his youth. He starts like a shorter sprinter, while getting max return from his long levers. Given good health and solid coaching, I believe he will follow in the footsteps of Noah Lyles and Michael Norman and continue his progression into the collegiate and professional levels of the sport.