Noise surrounded him, but his mind remained clear. He moved his body into form, adrenaline pumping through his body to prepare for the race.

Junior Norman Grimes is ranked nationally in track. Grimes is a member of the Canyon High Track team, but also competes in indoor track events during the weekends. Grimes competes in the long jump, 110 hurdles, 60 meter hurdles, 300 hurdles, 400, 200 and the mile relay. Grimes placed second in the 110 hurdles during last year’s UIL state track meet in the 4A division with a time of 13.89, and first in the 300 hurdles with a time of 36.90.

“The race is usually really fast-paced, and there’s not a lot of thought going into it,” Grimes said.

“Before the race I try to get as aggressive as I can, remember my training and my hurdle form and make sure I have a good start.”

Grimes said he practices working his core with a medicine ball and running uphill to improve his legs.

“It definitely took a lot of running and getting on a good weight program,” Grimes said. “The off-season workouts are really difficult. They’re all conditioning.”

Grimes said his sister Katie inspired him to start track. Katie Grimes ran 100 hurdles, with a time of 12.99. Grimes said everyone in his family ran in college, and all of his sisters were D-1 athletes.

“My older sister was the first to run in college.” Grimes said. “I was probably around 5 years old, and I used to run around saying that I wanted to be a ‘Track Star’ just like her. Seeing the notoriety she got in college and what she achieved really pushes me to be a better athlete.”

Grimes said his weekend meets do not affect his schoolwork, and he has not experienced any major obstacles.

“I usually can always finish a workout,” Grimes said. “I just might have a bad day like we all do. I’ve never quit. That sounds cliché, but I just don’t. Never give up. Stick with it.”

Grimes is currently ranked first in the nation overall for 60 meter hurdles, second for the 200 and fourth in for 400. In the junior class nationally, Grimes is ranked first in all three of the events.

“My biggest achievement is being first in the nation for 60 meter hurdles,” Grimes said. “Track is my favorite sport, and it’s all I do. I enjoy being with my coaches and friends. I don’t think I’ll ever have a burnout.”