Refugio's Ernest Campbell wows as he claims fourth straight UIL State Track 100 title
AUSTIN — Even a setback at the Region IV track meet could not derail the inevitable.
After an injury forced him to drop out of the 200-meter run and limp to a second-place finish in the 100, his marquee event, Refugio's Ernest Campbell had only one individual race at the UIL State Track Meet on Friday night.
He still managed to turn heads, clocking a 10.49 to claim the title of fastest in Class 2A for the fourth straight season, winning the 100-meter dash every year he was at Refugio.
Campbell also anchored the Bobcats' 400- and 800-meter relays to state championships, in the process winning Class 2A boys Athlete of the Meet as Refugio coasted to its third straight team state title and ninth overall.
"It is a lesson that I learned from my dad especially — the days that you don't want to go out and work they really help you and make you better," Campbell said. "I was blessed to have this coaching staff throughout my career. I fought through injuries for two years, but they always took care of us."
Campbell's career accolades put him up with some of the greatest to compete in the UIL, helping Refugio to three state titles, five individual gold medals, five relay championships and 11 total medals.
Upon winning the 100 to complete the career sweep, Campbell, a Texas A&M football and track signee counted to four on his fingers after crossing the finish line first and drew a thunderous ovation from the crowd.
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Campbell ran the fastest 100-meter dash among all classifications last season despite running in the second-smallest classification, clocking a state meet record 10.22 seconds.
He also won the 200 as a junior along with anchoring the 400 and 800 relays.
Campbell said after surprising the state with the gold in the 100 as a freshman he vowed to capture the title for the next three seasons.
"I was sitting second, and I didn't think I had a chance and I really didn't think about that," Campbell said. "I knew I had to have a bettter block start and I beat him, and after that I knew I had a chance to win the next three years.
"It comes back to getting up Monday through Sunday and grinding, even on your own. You aren't always going to have someone helping to achieve those goals, sometimes you have to get out and do it yourself."
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas A&M signee Ernest Campbell wows with fourth straight 100 state title
