Incoming freshman Malik White’s victory in the 2024 USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Championships in the 110m hurdles is a significant achievement that brings pride to the OLLU community.
White, a graduate of Taft High School and a native of Hammond, La, has shown unwavering dedication to his sport. He ran for the San Antonio Swift Track Club, a well-known organization that is nationally ranked and has produced award-winning youth ages 5-18 for many years.
The Junior Olympic Championships, a prestigious event that took place July 22-28 on the campus of Texas A&M University in Bryan – College Station, Texas, was the stage for Malik White’s remarkable performance.
White ran the 110m hurdles in the 17-18 age category. In the prelims, he marked a 15.09 time for a 16th-place overall finish and second in his heat. He advanced to the semifinals and finished with a 14.04 time for seventh place overall and third in his heat. White edged out his closest competitor, Ja’Shaun Lloyd, by .09 seconds to win the championship medal. His time was 13.52, while Lloyd’s was 13.61.
White’s potential is evident in his achievements. He is an eight-time All-American and the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation state champion from 2022. He holds the record in the 110m hurdles for the UIL 6A Region IV & Wheelchair; he’s third in Texas in the 110m hurdles/outdoor, 11th in the 110m hurdles/outdoor in the nation, first in the 60m hurdles/indoor in Texas, and seventh in the 60m hurdles/indoors in the nation.
OLLU track and field assistant coach for hurdles, Henry Spillers, said, “We are excited to have Malik join the team, and we know he will have an immediate impact in conference and in the NAIA. He is one of the best hurdlers in the nation, and we can’t wait to have him in a Saints uniform.”
White plans to major in Business Finance.