Last year, Taylor’s Christian Rohlack placed fourth in the Class 4A boys 800-meter run at the University Scholastic League (UIL) state championship track and field meet in Austin. On May 12, as a senior, Rohlack finished strong taking second place and earning the silver medal with a time of 1:59.10.
Just .88 seconds separated second place from fifth place as the race was tight from the very beginning. Rohlack lined up in lane nine and when the starter pistol sounded, he was off and running. Near the end of the first lap, Rohlack was a bit back in the pack but turned on the jets in the final 200 meters to reach the medal stand.
Immediately following the race, Rohlack knew all of his hard work had paid off.
“I knew I had to kick. I just started a little too late but I was still able to get second,” said Rohlack.
Following the medal ceremony, Rohlack met up with and relished in the moment with his family and coach Earven Flowers.
“It’s a redemption story,” said Flowers. “He really thought he had gotten third place last year, and this year, it was a tight race with the same student athlete. This year, his senior year, he’s on the stand. He pushed through a whole season hurt. I’m just so proud of that kid for pushing through. I look forward to big things for at Sam Houston (State University).”
Rohlack medaling this year continues the streak for Taylor High School track stars. The school has now produced a medalist at the state championships every year since 2013.
