By Stephen Underwood

Two superlative performances have come out of Texas early in this outdoor season to close out February and begin March.

At the February 23 Woodlands Invitational, Kingwood senior Sandie Raines ran a stunning a US#1 (outdoor) 10:15.34 3,200 to win by more than 20 seconds over Rouse frosh Madie Boreman (10:39.39).  The performance shattered a meet record held by former Woodlands standout Sarah Andrews and is #3 on the all-time Texas list for the event.  It’s also thought to be the fastest-ever outdoor performance nationally before March.

Raines, whose best in 2012 was 10:28.30, is coming off a stellar cross country season where she was second in the 5A state meet, seventh at Foot Locker South, and 11th at the Foot Locker Finals.

This past Saturday at Canyon, in the West Texas A&M Classic, Randall (Amarillo) senior Logan Brittain soared over a US#1 7-3, the best-ever leap in the Panhandle part of the state, according to reports.  The performance matches any height reached nationally by anyone in the entire 2012 outdoor season.  Brittain has also been the only jumper in the country to clear 7-0 indoors, which he did at the Wes Kittley Invite.

Brittain had cleared seven feet each of the past two outdoor campaigns and has captured two straight 4A state titles.  He has also won the Great Southwest Classic the past two seasons.