The Need For Speed

On April 9, West Ashley High School sprinter Darrell Singleton beat his personal record (PR) for the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.48 at the Taco Bell Classic Track & Field Classic. Not only did Singleton win first place in the meet, his PR also advanced him to third in the Nation. He also received the Mel Pender Outstanding Sprinter Award at Saturday’s meet.
Singleton got involved in track his sophomore year because his football teammates told him to come out and run. At first he wasn’t so sure about track, but then he realized he could be competitive. “I knew I was fast, but not this fast,” he says.
Singleton competes in the 100 and 200-meter dash events and is a key runner on the 4×100 and the 4×400-meter relay teams. Singleton says, “My favorite event is the 4×100 because it allows me to work with my teammates.”
Preparing for track meets takes hard work and dedication. Singleton practices every day after school and even follows a specific diet to help him better prepare for Saturday meets. “No fried food after Wednesdays,” says Singleton. Putting in all that time and effort doesn’t faze him though. “It’s all worth it,” says Singleton. “I love what I do. I love running.”
He started this track season with a PR of 10.61 for the 100-meter dash. Over the course of the current season he has continued shaving time off his PR. In the last few track meets Singleton finished the 100-meter dash with times of 10.59, 10.53, and his last PR of 10.48.
Singleton was recently invited by the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) to be a part of the Caribbean Scholastic Invitational team and travel to Cuba at the end of May where he will compete alongside 28 athletes from high schools in the US.
His success did not just happen overnight. Singleton says his track coach, Douglas O’Donald, really helped him improve. “[His] pep talks are what get me ready to run,” says Singleton. “[He] helped encourage me and get me to the top.”
“Darrell is a tremendous student athlete with a great outlook on life,” said Track Coach Douglas O’Donald. “It’s been a pleasure coaching someone that has worked as hard as he has on and off the track. Darrell is eager to learn and has a strong desire to be the best. His work ethic speaks volumes to the accomplishments he will achieve.”