As Florida athletes know, indoor track doesn’t exist in the Sunshine State, so it’s always exciting to see individuals compete at the national level, especially indoors. This weekend witnessed some of Florida’s finest, including Paxon School for Advanced Studies senior Braxton Canady, who finished second at this year’s meet in the 60-meter hurdles finals Sunday afternoon. (Watch the race HERE). Canady crossed the line in a very impressive 7.66, which is also a new personal-best for the Jacksonville native.

Finishing fifth in 2015, running 7.95, Canady this year really focused on not making the same mistakes he had in the past. He said that last year he was really nervous and didn’t run his best. Now, on the same stage as the year prior, he knew, this time, there was no room for error.

“I knew just being relaxed was key,” Canady said Sunday evening. He continued on saying, “I like to clear my head when I’m in the blocks. Before, I was just thinking I had to get out of the blocks first.”

From the start of the gun, Canady says he was focused on his form as he cleared each hurdle, despite those around him constantly changing positions. He explained in a race of this magnitude, it was easy to lose focus and cave in with the pressure of wanting to perform well on such a prestigious track, and in a well-respected facility in the track & field world. However, Canady says that he knew that his training would get him through to the finish line, no matter how tight the race was.

After finishing, Canady had but a few moments to gather his thoughts.

“I thought to myself,  I ran a great race and I should have won,” he said. “But I then I just embraced all the work I have put into my craft and I was pleased with the result.”

 Paxon's Braxton Canady (L) en route to his runner-up finish at NBNI (J. Neoplitan)

In 2015 Canady finished as the 2A state runner-up in both the 110-meter hurdles, as well as the 300-meter hurdles respectively.  Having gone 14.09 in the 110-meter hurdles and 38.24 in the 300-meter hurdles, and now a national runner-up, Canady looks to make some noise upon his return to the Sunshine State.

“I really want to put myself out there,” he said. “I want to win state and go to the Brooks PR Invitational.”

Expressing his love for running in Florida, Canady also aspires to win the hurdles at the FSU Relays in a couple of weeks, as well as end the season as the top hurdler in Florida.

“I’d say it’s just a new chapter of my career,” said Canady. “Just make sure you are watching from now on because the races I run in will be something very special.”

It can probably be agreed that Canady will be a true frontrunner in the hurdles in 2A, as well as in the hurdles across the state. With another national meet under his belt and his hunger for a spectacular senior season, it can be assured that he’ll be a name we frequent a lot more as the season progresses.