Girls Sprinter Of The Year: Symone Mason


It's hard to believe Miami Southridge sprinter Symone Mason had never won an individual state championship before 2017. The 2015 IAAF World Youth qualifier was runner-up in both the 200 and 400 meters in 2016. As a senior, she swept the 100, 200 and 400 putting herself in rare company and earning our Girls Sprinter of the Year award.

"Winning the three state titles gave me a warm feeling because it was long time coming, but well deserved," she said. "I left a legacy there that day."

For Mason, the legacy may have began before then. The University of Miami signee focused on the 100m this year and the sprint speed paid dividends in both the 200 and the 400. In the 100m dash she ran 11.5 or under five times including a national leading 11.24s to win one of the best sprints ever at the Bob Hayes Invitational. Mason also won the Adidas Dream 100 and was first at New Balance Nationals for her first individual national title in 11.27. Up against the best under 20 athletes in the country at USA Juniors, she finished as the runner-up in 11.42 into a -1.5 m/s wind.

In the 200m dash, she clocked sub 24s times in ten races including a meet record and US#2 23.00 at Bob Hayes, 23.48 to win the 4A state championship, and 23.09 to win USA Juniors and give her a spot on Team USA at the Pan American Junior Championships in Peru.

"In Peru, i plan on winning both of my open events and as well as a relay if I'm on one," she explained. "You can't always chase times, sometimes you have to let them come to you. I know I'll have to run a fast time to win, so that's my main focus."

If that wasn't enough she proved why she is arguably the best complete sprinter with six wins in six finals in the quarter-mile including a then US#1 and current US#5 52.42 at the GMAC Championships and 52.69 to win at the state meet.

"I'd say my senior year was full of blessings," Mason said. "I've achieved so much and earned many accolades which definitely made it the most memorable. I'm glad to leave my high school career on such a high note."

Mason knows what the title of Girls Sprinter of the Year in the Sunshine State doesn't come easily and says she is honored to win the award.

"Everyone knows that Florida is and always has been stacked with top sprinters," she said. "Being named Girls Sprinter of the Year is spectacular! I want people to remember me as the little girl with a big heart of a champion."