Who is that kid? Everyone was left asking this question after a high school senior unleashed a performance so electrifying, it’s being called historic. April 18, 2025, witnessed an 18-year-old, who just a few weeks ago became only the country’s fifth sub-10 100m runner in high school history, etch his name into Duncanville High record books by becoming the fastest high school sprinter in U.S. history. What’s interesting is the Georgia commit has come a long way ahead of the likes of Noah Lyles, who in his junior year in 2015, had recorded 10.14 in the 100m!

Brayden Dashun Williams has track fans losing their minds after clocking a wind-assisted 9.82 seconds in the 100-meter dash at a regional meet in the Texas State Semi-Finals, as reported by Coach Rob Track and Field on YouTube. “When you go 9.82 seconds, it is not going to just send shock waves around the internet, it is going to change how everybody looks at you from this point onwards,” coach Rob pointed out. “9.82. The number itself is incredibly fast. Nobody that age, as far as I know, has ever run that fast.”

The time, aided by a +6.0 m/s tailwind (the tailwind is well over the maximum of 2.0 that is allowed to make a race eligible for state or national records), he smashed the U.S. high school all-conditions record, previously set by Matthew Boling at 9.98 (+4.2 m/s) in 2019. While his 9.82 seconds won’t be considered a state or national record, it was still a big moment for the Georgia signee. But what exactly makes this so monumental? Well, Williams didn’t just run—he dominated. Even for these wind-assisted unofficial timings, Williams’ 9.82 is faster than any high schooler has ever run, wind or not. Williams’ mark, though wind-aided, is a statement. Take a look at the race video below!

But hey, why are we so surprised by Williams? After all, he recorded 9.99 (+2.6) in 100m in what was his outdoor season opener and even glanced back at his rivals mid-race with a swagger that screams future star! Interestingly, according to MileSplit database, 10.13 seconds is the fastest wind-legal in Texas high school history, which was recorded by Boling at the 2019 UIL 6A Outdoor Championships.

According to FloTrack, only five U.S. high schoolers have ever broken 10 seconds, even with wind: Christian Miller, Issam Asinga, Boling, Trayvon Bromell, and now Williams. Williams’ earlier 9.99 (+2.6 m/s) at the Texas A&M Bluebonnet Invitational on March 8, 2025, already made him the fifth to do so. So, track fans, are you ready for Brayden Williams to take over the sprinting world? Well, they are already celebrating the feat.

But before we see what fans are talking about, let us consider this. Last month, Brayden Dashun Williams participated in the Nike Indoor Nationals’ 60m event and clocked in at 6.62. While it wasn’t the fastest time ever, he won it, thus showing he can, in fact, perform well without the help of wind.

Fans rally behind Brayden Williams despite wind-assisted record

Sure, the +6.0 m/s tailwind made it ineligible for official records, but fans on X aren’t letting that dim the shine of this high school senior’s historic run. From awe to fierce defense, the online reactions paint a picture of a fan base hyped for a new star. One user summed up the raw fear Williams’ time inspires: “If I’m in high school looking at MileSplit & I see some guy in my heat running 9.8, I might crash out.” So, why are fans so quick to crown Williams despite the wind?

The comparisons to past high school phenoms show fans contextualizing Williams’ feat while brushing off the wind critique. One user pointed to Matthew Boling’s 9.98 from 2019, run with a +4.2 m/s wind: “It was like a 5+-something wind. Made the internet go oooh and aaaah, but he only hit this time one other time legally.” Fans seem to argue that while wind helps, it doesn’t fake raw talent. So, what makes Williams’ run stand out beyond the numbers?

For many, it’s about potential. Fans see Williams as a harbinger of the track’s future, with one boldly stating, “These are the future stars of the sport, I think.” This reaction reflects a belief that Williams’ 9.82, wind or not, signals a ceiling higher than most. Another user estimated, “6.0 m/s is a hurricane…but, still – 9.8 is wild. He’s probably got a 9.95 legal in him right now.” They suggested that, wind-aided or not, Williams is already knocking on the door of sub-10-second runs in legal conditions.

But how do fans reconcile the wind’s impact? Some dive into the math, defending Williams with calculated optimism. One user noted, “9.82 is 9.82; however, apparently the wind gained him about 0.25 of a second. So a 10.07-ishhhh, no wind. Wind conversions should be taken lightly, though.” Another chimed in, “6.0 or not… that’s still hella fast… adjusted to 10.04 or thereabouts.”

These fans acknowledge the +6.0 m/s wind—well over the legal +2.0 m/s limit—but argue the adjusted times still place Williams among the elite. Still, why the emotional investment in a Texas teen? Regional pride plays a role, especially for Texans. It will be interesting to see if he can create a record without the wind aiding him. With the UIL Outdoor Championships in May 2025 on the horizon, Williams will have another chance to silence his doubters.

What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.