Warren Easton’s Germain Smith-Mata sprints to glory at Texas Relays

In terms of high school track, “Texas Speed” is just different.

Recently, the national high school record in the boys’ 4X100-meter relay was shattered by not one, but two relay teams from Texas. It happened in the same race.

Humble Atascocita was clocked in at 38.92 seconds, eclipsing the 26-year-old mark of 39.76 set by Fort Worth Wyatt in 1998.

Duncanville’s second-place finish was also under the old mark with a clocking of 39.65.

Compare those times to the composite record in the 4X100 in Louisiana of 40.74 set back in 1983 by Capitol of Baton Rouge – nearly two seconds slower – and, well, you get the point.

That’s why what Germain Smith-Mata accomplished on March 30 at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays is a big deal.

With a time of 10.21 (wind-aided), the Warren Easton High School student is the first Louisiana sprinter to win the Division I Boys 100-meter title at the prestigious Austin, Texas meet.

“It was a great opportunity and a great feat by Germain,” said Warren Easton track coach Eric Smith, a Texas native who finished second in the College Division 100 at the Texas Relays during his days as a sprinter at Texas Southern University.

Heading to the University of Houston, Smith-Mata finished second at last year’s LHSAA State Championships covering 100 meters in what now seems like a pedestrian time of 10.66.

Injuries were the primary reason; however, hard work and proper training with weights have made a huge difference.

“I told him strength equals power equals speed,” said Coach Smith, who doubles as Germain’s father first and coach second. “He’s showing that what he did during the offseason is carrying over to his indoor and outdoor seasons. He’s really focused and working hard.”

Germain hopes he continues to improve at the next level. That’s why he decided to sign with the University of Houston where he’ll be under the watchful eye of the Cougars track coach Carl Lewis, winner of nine Olympic gold medals.

“I wanted him to be under an experienced and knowledgeable coach who happens to be a legend in the sport. And he’s a good guy.”

Smith-Mata has his sights set on the composite record at 100 meters in his home state, 10.20 seconds, set 44 years ago by Rod Richardson of Fair Park High School in Shreveport.

“You know how it goes at the state meet. It depends on the wind factor and if he catches a good day and we’re healthy and it’s God’s will, maybe we’ll have an opportunity to do it,” says Smith.

Winning at the Texas Relays isn’t the first sterling performance of the year for Smith-Mata. He ran away with the LHSAA 60-meter title indoors in February, and earlier that month, he turned in the state’s best time in the event, 6.73.

His clocking of 47.58 in his first 400-meter event during the young outdoor season is the leading time in the state.

An upcoming competition in Baton Rouge may be the next opportunity to see this fleet-footed athlete on the track.

If you are present, don’t blink. You may miss a historic performance. One like seeing a Louisiana sprinter hitting the tape first at the Texas Relays.