Taylor Proud:
Kerley wins bronze in 100-meter
PARIS — Taylor High School alumnus Fred Kerley made the city of Taylor proud once again as the former Duck track standout reached the podium in the men’s 100-meter finals for the second straight Summer Olympic Games.
In a race for the ages, Kerley crossed the line in third place at 9.81 seconds for a bronze medal finishing just behind USA Track and Field teammate Noah Lyles in first place and runner-up Kishane Thompson of Jamaica. Lyles won gold in a photo finish with a time of 9.79 seconds, just 0.005 in front of Thompson.
Kerley’s sister, Kenya Brandon, was ecstatic to see him perform at such a high level and inspire others.
“If you dream it, live it,” Brandon said. “Let your goals be what you set in stone and go for it. Don’t let no one determine what you can and can not do. Fred said when he was a little boy watching the Olympics ‘I’m going to be there one day,’ and he got there not once, but twice. The family and the community in Taylor, we could not ask for no more than that. He gave it his all, he did good and we are so proud of him.”
Shorty Mitchell, who coached Kerly in popwarner football, was impressed with Kerley’s efforts in the tightly contested race. “I’m proud of him,” Mitchell said. “I thought he should have won the gold, but we’ll take the bronze. Ain’t no shame getting third place in the Olympics. He made Taylor proud, himself proud and his family proud.”
Kerley, who previously won the silver medal in the 100-meter at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, had plenty of support Sunday as there was a watch party held for the semifinals and finals at Second Street Station Kitchen & Bar in Taylor.
Taylor Independent School District Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen attended the event to cheer for Kerley alongside other Taylorites.
“Fred Kerley did a great job representing Taylor, the community and as well as our district,” Garcia-Edwardsen said. “We are so proud of him.”
Gerald Jones, who has known Kerley and watched him grow as an athlete and a person noted the impact Kerley has on the younger generation.
“Fred’s a great role model for our kids,” Jones said. “He’s a perfect example of what hard work can do. Keep working hard and keep your heads up, young kids, and you can be like Fred Kerley.”
Kerley will continue his stay at the Olympics for Team USA in the men’s 4x100-meter relay Thursday, Aug. 8 at 4:35 a.m. CT in hopes of advancing to the finals Aug. 9 at 12:37 p.m.
