Emmanuel Bynum is off to a terrific start this indoor season.
The Whitehaven senior has the top time in Tennessee for 200 meters indoors. He ran 21.59 at the Arkansas HS Invitational. That places him eighth in the country too.
He told us earlier this week that he's very pleased with a good start to the season.
"It feels great," Bynum said. "It's a blessing to be in this position that I am in now. Can't thank nobody but God Almighty."
When you're at the top of the state rankings, it's fun to come to practice.
Bynum says his training is going well for this early in the season. He's feeling the momentum of a few fantastic performances to start the year.
"My training has been amazing," he said. "Non-stop work. Always looking forward to practice everyday after school. My favorite workout is Flying 150's. Easing into the sprint gets my legs warmed up to kick in my quick speed. I treat my workouts as if I'm in a real situation. I cannot expect myself to do better if I'm not pushing myself in practice."
But Bynum isn't anywhere close to being done.
He's got big plans for indoor and outdoor season. That includes a state record.
"I expect nothing but good results," he told us. "I'm looking forward to run 46 low indoor. Hopefully that's enough to beat the state indoor record. I plan on running 21 low close to breaking 21 indoor. Outdoor I plan on running 45 and 20.7.
Last season, Bynum placed second in the 100 meters at the state championship with a new PR of 10.71. He also hit 21.44 in the 200 to win his first state championship.
But in 2019, Bynum's momentum has come from the AAU circuit.
Last year he ran for W.E.B. Dubois High School. In his first season running for Whitehaven, he expects to pick up where he's left off.
"I feel like I have a good opportunity to do something big this outdoor season," he said. "After my experience and hard work this summer running with my AAU team Fast & Furious. I have high confidence in myself to accomplish or surpass my goals."
