Wyoming Teen Taven Young Breaks 55-Meter School Record

Thunder Basin High School sprinter Taven Young flew across the finish line in 6.55 seconds last Thursday, breaking his school's 55-meter dash record and claiming victory at a four-team indoor track meet in Gillette, Wyoming.

Young wasn't the only Bolt making history that night. His teammate Keaton Bennett soared to a school record 14 feet, 7 inches in the pole vault, helping Thunder Basin win the boys meet with 187 points at the Rec Center Field House.

The competition brought together Thunder Basin, Campbell County, Kelly Walsh, and Sheridan high schools for an evening of fast times and fierce local rivalry. Young doubled down on his success by also winning the 200-meter dash in 22.76 seconds, with fellow Bolt Seth Petersen finishing just behind him in both races.

Gillette athletes swept the top five spots in the 55-meter dash, showcasing the local strength in sprinting. Thunder Basin's Garett Breuer and Mohammed Khan joined Young, Petersen, and Campbell County's Jenovic Gray in dominating the event.

The girls competition saw equally impressive performances. Thunder Basin's Grace Miller won the 55-meter dash in 7.25 seconds, while Hazel Martin captured the 800-meter run. The Bolts' 4x400-meter relay team finished first with a time of 4:08.22.

The Ripple Effect

These record-breaking performances show how small-town athletic programs can nurture world-class talent. When Young crossed that finish line, he wasn't just setting a new school mark. He was inspiring younger athletes in the stands and proving that dedication pays off.

The meet also highlighted the depth of talent across Gillette's schools. Campbell County took third in the boys competition with 97 points, and both schools placed athletes on nearly every podium throughout the evening.

Both teams now prepare for the Basin Nation Invite next Friday, where they'll look to build on this momentum and possibly break more records.