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CLINTON TOWNSHIP — After an impressive showing at the Michigan High School Athletics Association Division I track and field state finals last year, Chippewa Valley High School sophomore Shamar Heard returned for the top spot in the 100-meter and 200-meter events.
Heard finished fifth and fourth in the 100-meter and 200-meter respectively in the 2021 state finals, but he said he had one goal in mind this season.
“Nothing really comes from making it,” Heard said. “I was pretty focused on the outcome and coming away with gold medals.”
As the MHSAA Division I state finals concluded on June 4 at Rockford High School, Heard did just that as he finished first in both the 100-meter and 200-meter.
Heard bested Ann Arbor Huron High School junior Braxton Brann by .55 seconds in the 200-meter and finished .06 seconds ahead of Detroit’s University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy sophomore Jaiden Reed, with a 10.77 time in the 100-meter. Heard said his friendship with Reed has translated to a competitive race each time.
“We’re really close. We’ve been racing each other since 2013 or 2014,” Heard said. “We love competing against each other. That’s my guy.”
Heard, a two-time All-State honoree, led Chippewa Valley to a third-place finish, accounting for 20 of Chippewa Valley’s 29 points at the state finals. Chippewa Valley finished 28th in 2021.
“We haven’t had anybody like him, ever,” Chippewa Valley coach Terrence Wilson said. “Whatever race he gets into, he’s going to do his best to win.”
Heard improved on both events at the state finals, beating his 2021 state finals 200-meter time by a full second. His 21.32 time set a new state record and a Chippewa Valley school record in the 200-meter, and he previously set the school record in the 100-meter earlier this season.
Heard said etching his name in the record books continues to be a main focus of his.
“I want to be the best I can be,” Heard said. “I got my eye set on a few records.”
Heard entered the state finals following a dominant performance at the Region 10 championship on May 20 at Macomb’s Dakota High School. He tallied first place in both the 100-meter and 200-meter.
Setting a freshman state record in the 200-meter and now claiming two state championships, Heard has established himself as one of the top sprinters in the state.
He has also received collegiate interest in football.
Heard will return next season as not just a defending champion, but one of the top racers in the state.
“Honestly, you could see him running in the Olympics one day,” Wilson said.
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