Brenen Thompson electrified the estimated 8,000 fans at Mike A Myers Stadium during the UIL Class 3A Track and Field Championships bringing home two gold medals, while taking down a record that stood for over half a century.
The Spearman graduate and future University of Texas football wide receiver/ track standout, had all eyes focused on him during the 100 meter dash. Thompson didn’t disappoint, making up for last year by running a 10.24 to win his first gold medal of the day, as well as in that event.
Thompson wasn’t done. Not an hour and a half later, Thompson showed off that amazing speed that caught UT’s eye in the 200 meter dash Thompson left the field at the curve and never looked back, blazing to a personal-best 20.73, breaking a 62-year old meet record set by Sidney Garton of New Boston (20.94).
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Thompson said. “I knew this record was beatable. I just focused in and went to go get it. I wanted to finish strong more than anything. I wanted to leave a mark on this track that I’ll hopefully spend four more years at, so that’s what I did.”
Thompson’s banner evening solidifies one of the most prolific high school careers in Texas Panhandle history. He’s known statewide, he’s known across the country, and he can’t go anywhere around the Texas Panhandle without being recognized. Thompson landed 38 Division I college football offers from the best of the best over the past two years, and to think it all started with one video. That video was two years ago in March of 2020 in Canadian. As a sophomore, Thompson ran a 10.15 that set the social media world a storm. Two weeks later he went from zero college offers to 15, and the number kept rising from there.
“A lot has changed since that video,” Thompson said. There has been a lot of attention on me since that time. I’m very blessed to be in the position I’m in. I was a freshman without an offer, and now I’m going to a great university.”
What Thompson did most of all Thursday night was cement himself as arguably the best sprinters to ever come from Spearman High School, and the Amarillo-area in general. He leaves with multiple school-records, three gold medals, and a silver medal from last year.
“Brenen put on a show,” Spearman head football coach and athletic director Aaron Witten said. “He is special and proved it once again. He’s one of the best to ever come out of Spearman, and the Texas Panhandle.”
Thompson echoed his coach’s comments.
“I want people to know that anything is possible and it doesn’t matter where you’re from,” Thompson said. I was a 145-pound freshman without an offer. I wanted to step into Spearman and make my name. I want anyone to know that if they set their mind to it they can go get what they want.”
