Henry Thomas (athlete)
Encyclopedia
Henry Thomas is a former American sprinter known for running at the high school and collegiate levels. He demonstrated extremely rare versatility, successful at 100 metres
through 400 metres
, holding the World Youth best for 100 metres (for over 10 years), set in a race 7 days after he set the world Youth best in the 400 metres. He is the only athlete to simultaneously appear in both the 100m and 400m top lists.
Thomas led the powerhouse team at Hawthorne High School
, in Hawthorne, California
of the 1980s to win the CIF California State Meet
in both 1983 and 1984. Individually, he won the 200 metres
in both 1983 and 1984—setting the state record that lasted 14 years, the 100 metres
in 1984 after finishing second as a sophomore the previous year—setting the state record that lasted 5 years, and anchored his team to 4x400 metres relay victories in both years. The 1983 relay was a "come from behind" race passing Danny Harris
on the final straightaway. Harris won a silver medal at the Olympics
the following year. The time of that 1984 victory is still ranked #3, and 1983 is ranked #4 on the all time list. Hawthorne won that relay 6 years in a row. His 100 metres record was beaten by Hawthorne's Curtis Conway
who played in the NFL, and the 200 metres record was beaten by Kareem Kelly
who also played in the NFL. Early in the 1985 season, the Hawthorne team, anchored by Thomas' 44.5 split, won the Texas Relays
in what is still the National High School record 3:07.40. Joining Thomas on that team, as the "slow" newcomer was future Olympic gold medalist Mike Marsh. Shortly after the record, Thomas suffered an appendix
attack, requiring surgery. He was unable to compete in the championship meet his senior year, Marsh won the state meet 200 metres in his place.
His best attempt to make an Olympic team came at age 21, when he finished 7th in 1988 Olympic Trials at 200m representing Santa Monica Track Club
. He went to UCLA where he is ranked #2 all time in the 200 metres, #3 in the 100 metres and #7 in the 400 metres. Every person ranked ahead of him, except newcomer Craig Everhart, is an Olympic medalist or world record holder. He helped UCLA win the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
s twice, 1987 and 1988 and anchored its NCAA record setting 4x400 metre relay team (that also included 1988 Olympic Gold medalists Danny Everett
and Steve Lewis
, plus 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist/World Record Holder Kevin Young
). Later in 1988, after failing to make the Olympics himself, he tried out for the UCLA football team. At the time he said (in third person) "I'm getting older now and making my own decisions, and this is something Henry wants to do."
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
through 400 metres
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
, holding the World Youth best for 100 metres (for over 10 years), set in a race 7 days after he set the world Youth best in the 400 metres. He is the only athlete to simultaneously appear in both the 100m and 400m top lists.
Thomas led the powerhouse team at Hawthorne High School
Hawthorne High School (Hawthorne, California)
Hawthorne High School is a public high school located in Hawthorne, California, within the Centinela Valley Union High School District. It opened in the mid 1950s and is most notable for its association with The Beach Boys, whose original members Brian, Carl, Dennis Wilson, and Al Jardine attended...
, in Hawthorne, California
Hawthorne, California
Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. The city at the 2010 census had a population of 84,293, up from 84,112 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
of the 1980s to win the CIF California State Meet
CIF California State Meet
The CIF California State Meet is the annual championship track and field meet for the California Interscholastic Federation. The meet was started in 1915 for boys and 1974 for girls. Every athlete in every high school in California has a direct qualification path that can reach the state meet...
in both 1983 and 1984. Individually, he won the 200 metres
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
in both 1983 and 1984—setting the state record that lasted 14 years, the 100 metres
100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
in 1984 after finishing second as a sophomore the previous year—setting the state record that lasted 5 years, and anchored his team to 4x400 metres relay victories in both years. The 1983 relay was a "come from behind" race passing Danny Harris
Danny Harris
Danny Lee Harris is a former American 400m hurdles runner who won silver medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1987 World Championships in Rome, both behind Edwin Moses...
on the final straightaway. Harris won a silver medal at the Olympics
Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
the following year. The time of that 1984 victory is still ranked #3, and 1983 is ranked #4 on the all time list. Hawthorne won that relay 6 years in a row. His 100 metres record was beaten by Hawthorne's Curtis Conway
Curtis Conway
Curtis Lamont Conway is a former National Football League wide receiver and was a first round 1993 NFL Draft choice out of the University of Southern California...
who played in the NFL, and the 200 metres record was beaten by Kareem Kelly
Kareem Kelly
Kareem Kelly is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
who also played in the NFL. Early in the 1985 season, the Hawthorne team, anchored by Thomas' 44.5 split, won the Texas Relays
Texas Relays
The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays are an annual track and field competition held at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. The University of Texas serves as host for the event, held on either the first or second weekend of April....
in what is still the National High School record 3:07.40. Joining Thomas on that team, as the "slow" newcomer was future Olympic gold medalist Mike Marsh. Shortly after the record, Thomas suffered an appendix
Vermiform appendix
The appendix is a blind-ended tube connected to the cecum , from which it develops embryologically. The cecum is a pouchlike structure of the colon...
attack, requiring surgery. He was unable to compete in the championship meet his senior year, Marsh won the state meet 200 metres in his place.
His best attempt to make an Olympic team came at age 21, when he finished 7th in 1988 Olympic Trials at 200m representing Santa Monica Track Club
Santa Monica Track Club
The Santa Monica Track Club was formed in 1972 by Joe Douglas as a post-collegiate track club. By the 1980s, the team came to be a major player in worldwide Track and Field competition, with team members setting numerous World and National records...
. He went to UCLA where he is ranked #2 all time in the 200 metres, #3 in the 100 metres and #7 in the 400 metres. Every person ranked ahead of him, except newcomer Craig Everhart, is an Olympic medalist or world record holder. He helped UCLA win the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship
The NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship is an annual collegiate outdoor track and field competition for men organised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It has three divisions: Division I, II, and III. Athlete's individual performances earn points for their institution and...
s twice, 1987 and 1988 and anchored its NCAA record setting 4x400 metre relay team (that also included 1988 Olympic Gold medalists Danny Everett
Danny Everett
Daniel Joseph Everett is a 400 metre runner from the United States. As a 21-year-old he participated in the 1988 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the individual event and a gold medal with the United States 4x400 m relay...
and Steve Lewis
Steve Lewis
Steve Lewis may refer to:* Steve Lewis , cave and wreck diver* Steve Lewis , jazz pianist and composer* Steve Lewis , former American track and field athlete* Steven Lewis , British pole vaulter...
, plus 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist/World Record Holder Kevin Young
Kevin Young (athlete)
Kevin Curtis Young is a former American athlete. He was the winner of the 400 meter hurdles at the 1992 Summer Olympics...
). Later in 1988, after failing to make the Olympics himself, he tried out for the UCLA football team. At the time he said (in third person) "I'm getting older now and making my own decisions, and this is something Henry wants to do."