Rock Island Today

Courtney Lindsey, the Rock Island High school senior and track and field star, had never stepped foot on a track before his sophomore year.

Now he stands as the proud owner of several of the school's most impressive records.

Lindsey recently set marks in the 100 and 200, then returned to the track a few days later to anchor the team to wins in the 400x100 and 4x200 relays, earning himself weekly honors as the Metro Pacesetter for the Dispatch-Argus-QCOnline.

Afterward, Lindsey couldn't help expressing his feelings, despite being known as a quiet champion by those who know him best. 

 “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d get the 200,” he told the Dispatch-Argus. “But as the season went along, I felt more and more like I had a shot at the 100. Once I got the 100 (on Friday), I got more motivated to get the 200 as well.”

He hit the line at 10.50 seconds in the 100, and 21.28 in the 200. After it was over, he took a moment to reflect on how his whirlwind run first began

 “I had never run track before Tyler Foulks talked me into joining the team my sophomore year,” he told the Dispatch-Argus. “All I had ever done before was boxing. Tyler taught me about the starts and the blocks. Then, he started to inspire me to run as fast as he did. He knew I was fast and he pushed me. I got to state in the 4x1 and 4x2 relays, but I never thought it would come to this. I didn’t feel like I was good until preseason last year. I was getting faster and started to see myself as a guy who could compete with anyone.”

Now his team’s unquestioned leader, Lindsey wears the crown gracefully, spending as much time as he can helping teammates rise to the levels those like Foulks once inspired him to.

“I feel like all of the guys want to run as fast as me,” Lindsey said. “Austin Taylor is always saying he is going to beat me. It makes it fun.”