County’s Granger wins 3A 100-meter run for second year

Marty Stamper/Staff Reporter
The Newton Record

DECATUR May 15, 2008 07:25 pm

— Newton County junior Michael Granger continued his dominance in the Class 3A 100-meter dash by winning the state meet Saturday at Pearl.
Granger took first place in the race with a time of 10.46 seconds to successfully defend his title from 2007.
His win accounted for all 10 of Newton County’s points in the state meet.
“I clocked a 10.46 and the second place person clocked 10.5,” Granger said. “Third place was 10.9. It was a good race between first and second place.
“I was in the lead as soon as I came out of the blocks because I had a real good take off.”
Strong take offs are the secret to Granger’s success.
“He’s a real special athlete,” said Cougar track coach Josh Chaney. “He’s just got God-given speed and to be honest, it may not sound right but he’s faster than that. He just never has anybody pushing him. He won by about five meters.
“He went to two meets at Mississippi College and Mississippi State on his own this year. He does a lot on his own.
“I think he’s got a bright future in track. I also think he can play football at the next level too.”
Unlike in 2007, Granger did lose in the 100 meters this Spring. However he was facing much tougher competition in one of the state’s top meets.
“When I went to a meet at Mississippi State, I came in third,” Granger said. “The state champs from 5A and 4A placed first and second.”
“My favorite race is the 100. I run the 200 to help my time in the 100 get faster.”
Granger also runs on Newton County’s 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays.
Granger also plays on Newton County’s football team. He hopes to play both sports in college.
“If I get a scholarship in one, wherever I go I’m going to try to walk on and do both of them,” he said.
“This was my first year coaching track,” Chaney said. “My boys’ team was real good and the girls’ was real competitive. My 4x100 girls’ team made it to South State and Granger made it to state.”