Khalfani Muhammad (middle) coming down the 100-meter straightaway. Muhammad won in a time of 10.52 seconds, leading Notre Dame-Sherman Oaks to a state championship.
Photo by Craig Morley
Khalfani Muhammad is too nice of a person to wish
Serra (Gardena, Calif.) any ill-will, at least verbally, but after he won his third gold medal, he knew it would take something unusual for his
Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) team to win the California State Track and Field boys title.
Not only did the Notre Dame junior dazzle on the track, he was able to watch the final Serra 4x400 relay runner tumble to the track and finish sixth, allowing Muhammad's club to join him in the winner's circle.
"It was a great day," said Muhammad after not only doubling with gold medals in the 100 (10.52 with a 2.4 meter-per-second wind) and the 200 (21.15 with an even brisker 2.5 breeze), but anchoring the Knights to an unexpected victory in the 4x100 relay by the almost ridiculous margin of three-thousandths of a second – 41.1322 to 41.1325 – over year-long nemesis
Rio Mesa (Oxnard).
Khalfani Muhammad contributed to three
wins, including an electrifying anchor
leg in the 400 relay.
Photo by Craig Morley
"We did it as a team," said Muhammad of the eventual trip to the top of the victory stand one last time after Notre Dame edged Serra for the team title, 36-32. "That 4x100 relay was really a result of my teammates pushing me every day in practice. There were no days off this spring."
Sophomore Koa Farmer, senior Eric McDaniel (who finished third in the 100 for the other six Notre Dame points) and junior Nick Holland kept the Knights close enough that when Muhammad got the stick, at least he felt he had a chance to catch Rio Mesa, which seemed to own Notre Dame.
Gaining with every stride, Muhammad closed until he and Rio Mesa's Cameron Roach leaned into the tape at the same time. Again the consensus was Roach had held on. The photo showed otherwise and Muhammad had the adrenalin boost he needed to dominate the sprints.
He finished the race with an emphatic arm pump, showing he was pretty sure his late spurt had been successful.
"Today I cared more how I ran than my time," said a very straight-faced Muhammad who had qualified with wind-legal times of 10.44 and 21.16, raising hopes for fast finals times as the 103-degree heat on Friday gave way to strong winds.
"I had to take it out in the 200 to make sure I was able to win."
He did just that, roaring into the lead before he hit the straight-away and adding to the margin with each step to easily leave Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) junior Morgan Simon (21.33) well in his wake.
The runner they call "Cal" was finished for the evening and very happy about that.
"I know my legs will cramp later-on," said the 17-year-old. "I'm glad I don't have to run the 4x400 relay because it has been a long two days."
Muhammad said he has already been flooded with interest from colleges, all of whom are hoping to make it a football-track scholarship.
On the gridiron, the 5-foot-8, 174-pounder accounted for more than
1,200 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. One thing that is absolutely certain – no defensive back in the state has a chance to catch him if he gets into the secondary.
See overview on meet from MaxPreps columnist Mitch Stephens. See complete event-by-event results. 
Khalfani Muhammad (middle) is getting a flood of college football interest. He's only a junior.
Photo by Craig Morley
