For Irad Mixon, speed has always come naturally.
From the moment he tested himself in third grade, it was clear he had something special.
“I stepped on the track and just burned everyone,” Mixon said with a laugh. “Ever since then, I’ve loved the thrill of it all, since I tend to be a really competitive person. It’s an exhilarating feeling to test the true physicality of who you areas an athlete. It feels like home to me, so that’s where I stay.”
Now a senior at Baytown Sterling, Mixon has turned that early passion into proven success.
Last season, he captured gold in the 400mDash at the District Meet before placing third at the Area level, securing a spot at Regionals. He also helped Sterling’s 4x200 Relay team reach the Regional stage, further cementing his role as a leader on the squad.
But Mixon isn’t satisfied. He has even greater ambitions in his final campaign.
“I’ve become really focused on my goals since last year,” he said. “I know what I’m capable of. I don’t want to just finish in the Top-3 at the Area meet—I want to win it. More so than that, I want to do well enough at regionals to get my place at State.”
Mixon has spent all four years with the Rangers, and he credits the program for helping him develop into the competitor he is today.
“Being with this team has definitely boosted my confidence,” he said. “That’s not always an easy thing to do, especially when you compete against other talented opponents. But Sterling has helped me stay focused on what I can accomplish. As long as I stay on track, I know I can be comfortable with the results.”
While track is his primary focus, Mixon also has plans beyond the sport. He intends to pursue a degree in electrical engineering while hoping to continue his athletic career at the next level.
When he’s not training or competing, Mixon enjoys unwinding with his favorite shows—Game of Thrones, The 100, and Alice in Borderland.
However, his current attention is directed toward the last stretch of his high school career.
With a decorated resume already behind him, Mixon is determined to make his senior season his best yet—one that could end on the biggest stage in Texas high school track and field.