By Don Ketchum

The finish of the boys’ 100-meter dash at the Class 5A state track meet was about as close as close could be.

Trae Armstrong of Glendale Deer Valley went over to congratulate Glendale Ironwood’s Isaiah Underwood for his victory.

“Then I looked up on the board where it lists the lanes in order of finish. I sort of forgot what lane I had been in for a second. I looked at the tag on my hip. It matched the winning lane. It was then that I realized that I had won,’’ Armstrong said.

It was then that Armstrong officially became a member of Arizona’s elite sprinters. He edged Underwood, 10.76 seconds to 10.77, and went on to win the 200 in convincing fashion, 21.59 to Underwood’s 22.00, to help the Skyhawks claim the 5A Division II state title.

Now, as a junior in 2011, Armstrong is continuing to leave opponents in his wake.

He passed the first big test on the road to a repeat in the recent Chandler Rotary Invitational, winning both events. Armstrong will compete next on Saturday (April 9) in the Greenway Invitational at Phoenix Greenway High.

Armstrong is one of eight brothers, and most have participated in track. Trae, the second youngest, tried running as a seventh grader. It was a struggle at first, but his brothers continued to encourage him. He did better as an eighth grader, and then it was on to Deer Valley.

“As a freshman, I wasn’t used to lining up against 18-year-olds. It was a big jump,’’ Armstrong said.

“I’ve always kind of been a hard worker, but it made me want to work a lot harder in the weight room and getting ready to race. My coach (Eric Bolus) keeps telling us that hard work never goes unrewarded.’’

When distance runners compete, they have time to formulate a strategy before and even during a race. Sprinters don’t have that luxury.

Armstrong knows this.

“When I get into the blocks, I’m a little worried at first, but then I just stop thinking about everything and try to do everything as perfect as possible. When I start to accelerate, the adrenalin takes over,’’ he said.

He remembers how the adrenalin used to flow when playing against his brothers in backyard basketball games, or racing them to the bus stop.

He is thankful of how the competition has led him to meet new people and make friends. He and his teammates will hang out and go out to eat pasta every now and then.

“Friendships are important,’’ he said. “You know that track is going to come to an end some day, but the friendships can last forever.’’

And the competition has created rivalries, such as the one Armstrong has with Underwood.

“It’s a friendly rivalry,’’ Armstrong said.

He carries a respectable 3.0 grade-point average but admits he has struggles along the way like many students do at one time or another.

“School is school,’’ he said. “I don’t hate it, but there can be days where it seems like it is the longest day of my life. I realize, though, that academics are important and that is what is going to get you through.’’

He also excels at running back and would like to go to a college where he can play football and participate in track. One that could fit his criteria is the University of Arizona, because of its athletics and the fact that it has a good reputation in the medical field.

Armstrong would like to perhaps study to become an athletic trainer.

“I like the anatomy classes,’’ he said.

He laughed when a visitor said that he should have his own TV show – “Trey’s Anatomy.’’

He knows that with success comes a new set of challenges – such as everyone wanting to defeat him in a race. In the past, he has been one of the people doing the chasing.

“I’ve never been in a spot like this before,’’ he said. “It is different for me. I know kids are going to come out and try to beat me. But I can’t control what the other kids do. All I can do is try my best and when the race is done, no matter whether I won or not, is know that I gave it my all.’’