Will County Gazette

If you're looking for Marcellus Moore at a track meet, just look at the finish line. He's usually standing there alone for a few seconds after a race, waiting for others to finish.

After a strong showing during the indoor-track season, the Plainfield North High School freshman continued hs surge into the outdoor season, solidifying his place as one of the best sprinters in the state.

Through May 11, according to athletic.net, Moore had the best time in all of Illinois in the 100-meter dash, at 10.48 seconds, and the 200 dash, at 21.28.

“I know as of right now I'm in a good spot, but I mean, I still have a lot of work to do,” Moore told the Will County Gazette.

All that comes after winning the 60- and 200-meter dashes at the Class 3A Illinois Top Times Championship on March 25 in Bloomington to wrap up the indoor season.

“I think the indoor season was real good,” Moore said. “We have a really tough schedule all year round, so I mean, I got to see some of the top performers in all of the state all during indoor season, so that was real good.”

Despite being a newcomer to Illinois high school varsity sports, Moore knows what it is like to run on a big stage. Last August, while running for the Aurora Flyers at the Junior Olympic National Championship in Humble, Texas, Moore claimed the 100-dash crown in 10.81, which tied a record that has stood for 20 years, and was second in the 200 dash, at 22.03.

Still, Moore said he gets nervous before a big race, where he competes against upperclassmen. Luckily, racing has a way of equalizing.

“Everybody has to get on the same line and compete, but it's very exciting to run against them,” Moore said.

Moore has set his time goals as 10.4 seconds in the 100-meter dash and around 20 in the 200, in addition to winning the state titles in those events. That would cap a whirlwind year for the young speedster.

“This year has been a lot of surprises,” he said. “I didn't expect a lot of this to come so fast, but after a while I'm starting to get a little bit more used to it. But I think I can keep working and stay humble.”