University Southern California Trojans
U20 World Medalist Blake Hamilton Begins Collegiate Journey with Sights Set on LA28
October 12, 2026 | Track & Field, Features
At first, Blake Hamilton didn't realize what he accomplished.
When Hamilton whipped around the turn in the 200-meter dash at the 2026 UIL Texas State Championships, he broke away from the pack. Entering the final 100 meters, Hamilton was already a few strides ahead of his main challenger, 6A 100-meter dash winner Dillon Mitchell, who was out in lane three. As Hamilton kept accelerating down the home stretch, the crowd roared as they watched him in lane seven break away from the pack.
Hamilton crossed the line with a comfortable lead. As he decelerated past the finish line, he ripped off his bib and showed the crowd the words "God's Child," which he scrawled on the back. He didn't know how fast he ran. Behind him, the screen flashed a time of 19.86 seconds: a new all-conditions high school record in the 200-meter dash.
From that point forward, his life changed.
"I didn't expect myself to do that," Hamilton said, recalling the race. "I mean, I was telling myself, 'Oh, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do that.' But I didn't truly expect myself to do it."
That 19.86 was just one highlight of many in Hamilton's senior year, which started with historic high school football and track seasons, then two medals at the U20 World Championships.
As a wide receiver for Tompkins High School, Hamilton became the first 1,000-yard receiver in school history, earning 19-6A Special Teams MVP and Wide Receiver First Team All-District. At the time, he kept the football and track seasons exclusive to each other, but he found that both informed the other, taking his endurance from track and agility from football.
Hamilton had collegiate athletics on his mind from a young age. Both of his parents ran track in college, and his dad, Brandon, competed in football and baseball as well. Hamilton found that the harder he worked, the more he could grow his own expectations and set the blueprint for his younger brother, Blayne, a nationally-recognized U11 baseball player.
"I always wanted to set the standard for my brother and make sure that he knows what he has to work for so he can be better than me," Hamilton said.
In return, he found his parents' support to be unwavering. Their experience and careers in college athletics and the medical field helped him both mentally and physically as he balanced football and track in high school.
"They were my coaches as well. So if I ever needed something, I could ask them for advice, and they'll be there for me. They'll give me great advice," Hamilton said.
Early in his senior track season, Hamilton ran his first sub-20-second 200-meter dash at the Bluebonnet Invitational held at Texas A&M in March with a time of 19.90.
"My whole world flipped that day, because I did something that hasn't been done in a very, very long time," Hamilton said.
Interest increased from a college recruitment standpoint almost instantly. Hamilton took a visit to California for the first time to meet with the USC coaching staff, Assistant Coach Brenton Emanuel and Head Coach Quincy Watts. Looking at the legacy of USC sprinters he admired, such as Max Thomas, Travis Williams and Garrett Kaalund, Hamilton knew an offer to become a Trojan was one he couldn't turn down.
"Everything is at USC," Hamilton said. "We have the best facilities in the country. We have the best coaches in the country and the best team in the country. Everything that you need is here at USC."
Two months later, he went sub-20 again.
Trusting in his training and his faith, Hamilton broke the high school all-conditions record in the 200-meter dash and he led Tompkins High School to its first-ever state championship title.
"I'm so happy to be part of my team," Hamilton said. "It was a great way to end off the year because it just shows how much dog mentality we had, and how much work that we put into that year, and to be able to come back and bring it home for the school meant a lot."
Upon officially committing to USC in June, Hamilton turned his focus to the U20 National and World Championships in Eugene for the summer, where he continued to break records. Hamilton earned silver in the World Championships 200-meter, finishing behind Tate Taylor to help Team USA sweep the top two spots. In the men's 4x100-meter relay, the two joined forces to break the U20 world record and claim the gold medal.
"I was so honored to be able to represent Team USA, and then the overall experience was phenomenal. Being able to be teammates with some of the greatest high school athletes and college athletes of all time was amazing," Hamilton said.
Hamilton will take the track in January with goals of making the podium at the Big Ten and NCAA Championships — both indoors and outdoors. And he is already thinking of the opportunities that lie ahead with the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
"Ever since I got here, LA28 has been on my mind because it's near this amazing campus, this amazing school and in this amazing city," Hamilton said.
The freshman is no stranger to the national and world stage, preparing him for what collegiate track and field and the eventual Olympic trials have in store.
When Hamilton whipped around the turn in the 200-meter dash at the 2026 UIL Texas State Championships, he broke away from the pack. Entering the final 100 meters, Hamilton was already a few strides ahead of his main challenger, 6A 100-meter dash winner Dillon Mitchell, who was out in lane three. As Hamilton kept accelerating down the home stretch, the crowd roared as they watched him in lane seven break away from the pack.
Hamilton crossed the line with a comfortable lead. As he decelerated past the finish line, he ripped off his bib and showed the crowd the words "God's Child," which he scrawled on the back. He didn't know how fast he ran. Behind him, the screen flashed a time of 19.86 seconds: a new all-conditions high school record in the 200-meter dash.
From that point forward, his life changed.
"I didn't expect myself to do that," Hamilton said, recalling the race. "I mean, I was telling myself, 'Oh, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do that.' But I didn't truly expect myself to do it."
That 19.86 was just one highlight of many in Hamilton's senior year, which started with historic high school football and track seasons, then two medals at the U20 World Championships.
As a wide receiver for Tompkins High School, Hamilton became the first 1,000-yard receiver in school history, earning 19-6A Special Teams MVP and Wide Receiver First Team All-District. At the time, he kept the football and track seasons exclusive to each other, but he found that both informed the other, taking his endurance from track and agility from football.
Hamilton had collegiate athletics on his mind from a young age. Both of his parents ran track in college, and his dad, Brandon, competed in football and baseball as well. Hamilton found that the harder he worked, the more he could grow his own expectations and set the blueprint for his younger brother, Blayne, a nationally-recognized U11 baseball player.
"I always wanted to set the standard for my brother and make sure that he knows what he has to work for so he can be better than me," Hamilton said.
In return, he found his parents' support to be unwavering. Their experience and careers in college athletics and the medical field helped him both mentally and physically as he balanced football and track in high school.
"They were my coaches as well. So if I ever needed something, I could ask them for advice, and they'll be there for me. They'll give me great advice," Hamilton said.
Early in his senior track season, Hamilton ran his first sub-20-second 200-meter dash at the Bluebonnet Invitational held at Texas A&M in March with a time of 19.90.
"My whole world flipped that day, because I did something that hasn't been done in a very, very long time," Hamilton said.
Interest increased from a college recruitment standpoint almost instantly. Hamilton took a visit to California for the first time to meet with the USC coaching staff, Assistant Coach Brenton Emanuel and Head Coach Quincy Watts. Looking at the legacy of USC sprinters he admired, such as Max Thomas, Travis Williams and Garrett Kaalund, Hamilton knew an offer to become a Trojan was one he couldn't turn down.
"Everything is at USC," Hamilton said. "We have the best facilities in the country. We have the best coaches in the country and the best team in the country. Everything that you need is here at USC."
Two months later, he went sub-20 again.
Trusting in his training and his faith, Hamilton broke the high school all-conditions record in the 200-meter dash and he led Tompkins High School to its first-ever state championship title.
"I'm so happy to be part of my team," Hamilton said. "It was a great way to end off the year because it just shows how much dog mentality we had, and how much work that we put into that year, and to be able to come back and bring it home for the school meant a lot."
Upon officially committing to USC in June, Hamilton turned his focus to the U20 National and World Championships in Eugene for the summer, where he continued to break records. Hamilton earned silver in the World Championships 200-meter, finishing behind Tate Taylor to help Team USA sweep the top two spots. In the men's 4x100-meter relay, the two joined forces to break the U20 world record and claim the gold medal.
"I was so honored to be able to represent Team USA, and then the overall experience was phenomenal. Being able to be teammates with some of the greatest high school athletes and college athletes of all time was amazing," Hamilton said.
Hamilton will take the track in January with goals of making the podium at the Big Ten and NCAA Championships — both indoors and outdoors. And he is already thinking of the opportunities that lie ahead with the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
"Ever since I got here, LA28 has been on my mind because it's near this amazing campus, this amazing school and in this amazing city," Hamilton said.
The freshman is no stranger to the national and world stage, preparing him for what collegiate track and field and the eventual Olympic trials have in store.
Players Mentioned
Sprints
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Sprints
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Sprints
/ Track & FieldWednesday, June 17
Sunday, May 17
Thursday, May 14
Saturday, March 28
