American Heritage's Bennett is the Broward Boys' Track and Field Athlete of the Year
Few athletes experience the kind of success, American Heritage junior Braylen Bennett has in one season, or let alone a high school career.
Bennett's willingness to learn and work ethic have made it possible for him to succeed as both a standout cornerback on the Patriots' football team and as one of the best track and field sprinters in the state.
After helping American Heritage win a state title in football in the fall, Bennett carried his drive to the track in the spring where he won three state championships, earning him the Miami Herald's Boys' Track and Field Athlete of the Year honors for Broward County.
Bennett secured state championships in the 100 and 200 meters and was also part of a state championship-winning 400-meter relay in Class 3A.
'At the start of the season coming off football, I didn't want to rush anything so I just followed what my coaches told me,' Bennett said. 'I wasn't running as fast as I wanted to, but I just trusted in it. As the season went on, I got stronger and faster and once I got to state, I knew what I was capable of running.'
Bennett had already been part of a state title-winning relay the prior season with his brother, Brandon, former Heritage runner Zamarii Sanders, and Heritage alum Xavier Lucas, which set a state meet record in 39.39 seconds.
This season's group, which also included both of the Bennett brothers, along with senior Cayden Smith and sophomore Amare Nugent, another promising cornerback in football, didn't beat that record. But their time of 40.46 seconds was enough to repeat as state champions.
Individually, Bennett blazed past the competition throughout most of the season.
He won the 100 meters at state with a time of 10.59 seconds and then secured the 200 meter title in 20.66 seconds.
'Running against the top competition in South Florida and really this state, I felt like winning all three (state titles) meant a lot and it showed how much I've grown,' Bennett said.
Bennett heads into his senior season still undecided on his college destination, but hoping to find the right school where he can continue to succeed on and off the field.
'Picking the right school where I could grow is important to me,' Bennett said. 'I want to find out who I am outside of sports and I want to find a school that can help me do that.'
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