At the 49er Classic in Charlotte on March 20th, Malik Harper beat his old PR for the 100 meter run by 0.13 seconds, coming in 4th with a time of 10.81.
This last weekend at the Winthrop/Adidas Invitational, Harper came just shy of his recent PR, coming in third with a time of 10.87.
“When I ran my race I felt really good and I was happy with the time, especially this early in the season. I am hoping to improve that time and have multiple personal bests this season. I always try to stay in shape and my coaches always do a great job by having us prepared for the meet day,” said Harper.
Before this season, the last time Harper recorded a personal best in the 100 meter was with a time of 10.94 seconds two years ago at the Winthrop Twilight in 2019.
Harper began running as a high school sophomore in Duluth, GA to improve his football skills, but he “never anticipated it could take [him] this far.”
“I did not start taking track seriously until my junior year of high school when I realized I could be really good at it,” Harper said.
When preparing for a big meet, Harper always enjoys a large breakfast in the morning, not eating again until he has completed all of his races for the day. He also always listens to his “game day playlist,” and prays before and after all races “no matter the outcome.”
At the March 27th Invitational, Harper also ran the 200 meter with a time of 22.59, the fastest time for the Winthrop men’s team that day, and the 4×100 meter relay with Brandon Edmond, Colby Thorn and Evan Hailes with a time of 42.36.
Former NFL and MLB player Deion Sanders, who is currently the Head Coach for Jackson State University, is Harper’s favorite athlete of all time “because of how he carried himself.”
“He was so cool and just had a different swagger to his game,” said Harper.
However, Harper’s true inspiration is his mom.
“She is the true definition of a hard worker. She always gives her family and job a 110% and has taught me a lot about life,” Harper said.
Harper hopes to finish the season with a time of 10.6 seconds or faster and finish top three all time in the 100 meter dash at Winthrop.
Currently, Harper is ranked 5th all time for Winthrop, with his new PR being only 0.04 seconds from beating out Kandrick Cooper, who is ranked third with a time of 10.77 from 2009.
“My most memorable experience [at Winthrop] has been my sophomore year of track because I really became a consistent runner and better all-around athlete,” said Harper.
Now a senior Sport Management major, Harper plans to finish this semester like he did in the fall, with a 4.0 GPA, and is looking forward to a career in the sports world after graduation.
“I have always loved sports since a young age and would like to have a career in something that I am passionate about,” Harper said.
The Eagles head to High Point, NC for the VertKlasse Meet on April 1-2, giving Harper his next opportunity for a PR.
Photo courtesy of Winthrop Athletics
