This Spring has seen a plethora of elite talent emerge onto the high school track scene, which is a testament to the skill produced by the state’s top programs.
However, it’s unlikely that there has been any athlete with a more sudden impact than Katy’s London Jackson-Bray.
After narrowly missing out on the UIL State Meet a year ago, Jackson-Bray made a statement in last week’s Region III-6A Meet.
Not only did she take gold in the Girls 100m Dash (11.44 s), but she took that a step further by placing second in the 200m Dash (23.72 s), which ultimately punched her ticket to Austin.
“It feels incredible,” she said. “Sometimes I can’t believe how far I’ve come in the last year. I’ve been so blessed in my time with the team and coaches.
I think what might set me apart from others is that I find fun in the competition. It’s not like a job for me since I just want to go out there and enjoy myself. It’s a sport, and sports are meant to be fun, so I don’t take it too seriously. At the end of the day, I want to leave with a smile on my face.”
There have been plenty of smiles to be had for the Katy program in recent weeks, and not just for Jackson-Bray.
She will be joined by fellow qualifiers, Elizabeth Brooks (800m), Adam Carter (Shot Put), and Tyler Willis (Shot Put), when the team travels to Mike A. Myers Stadium in May.
It’s not just her teammates that inspire the Katy speedster, either. After all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Both of my parents ran track at the University of Houston,” said Jackson-Bray. “Plus, my sister ran all four years of high school, so it’s always been in my family. I originally played volleyball and didn’t start competing in track until seventh grade.
While that might be a little overwhelming to live up to for some people, I see it as more of an inspiration. My parents never pushed me into the sport. It was something I found by myself, and they’ve obviously been very supportive of me and my journey.”
Jackson-Bray continues to play volleyball to this day, for both Katy High and her club team, Katy United.
While being a multi-sport athlete can be time consuming, it’s certainly benefited this Katy junior.
“I feel like the training I’m not able to get out of track, I’m able to get in volleyball,” she said. “I’m able to increase my experience in the sense of jumping, being explosive, and improving my reaction time with everything.
I love volleyball, but I think track is what I’m leaning to more in college. I do have a few offers as of right now, so I feel like that’s the route I’m meant to take when I graduate.”
When she’s not going on a shopping spree at Lululemon with her friends or watching her go-to show Grey’s Anatomy in the coming years, Jackson-Bray intends to pursue a career in dermatology once she reaches the collegiate level.
Although, she’s now preparing to contend for a state title.
With another year left in her high school career, it’s becoming increasingly evident that Jackson-Bray is on the path towards an exceptional future.
It all begins at the starting line.