Conroe Track’s Shamar Levenstone continues his breakout season

CONROE, TX -- For most athletes, the first season is a learning experience. For most athletes, it’s an opportunity to pick up valuable skills that will lead to a breakout season in the following year. Conroe Track’s Shamar Levenstone isn’t like most athletes. His first season as a 110m and 300m hurdler is his breakout season.

In his last two meets, the District 13-6A championship meet and the Area championship meet, Levenstone won two gold medals in the 110m Hurdles and bronze and gold in the 300m Hurdles. Levenstone can make the race look easy and it’s been that way since day one.

“I’ve always had a passion for [hurdles],” said Levenstone. “I used to look at hurdlers, and I was like maybe I can try that. So, I went out one day, coach put four hurdles in front of me, and I just went over and three-stepped, and that’s how it all started.”

Since that day, Levenstone has continued to improve his craft, and now he’s one of the top hurdlers in the state. His time of 14.04 in the 110m Hurdles is the top time in UIL Region II and he’s a top-10 hurdler in the 300m Hurdles as well.

Levenstone’s success on the track will continue to bring more attention his way, but he says the spotlight doesn’t phase him too much.

“I don’t really think about the spotlight,” said Levenstone. “I just continue to do me, try to get better every week, and bet on myself as I go through the journey.”

Levenstone’s journey as a first-year hurdler has been very impressive to Conroe’s Head Track Coach JD Hurd.

“[Levenstone’s] focus to the craft of learning the hurdles is off the chart,” said Hurd. “He has a God-given talent, particularly his turnover between the hurdles. It’s once in a lifetime that you see a hurdler that can go that quick between the hurdles.”

The next stop for Levenstone will be the Region II championships in Waco. There will be a lot of competition at the meet, but both Levenstone and Coach Hurd feel that with the right preparation, he can advance to the state championship meet.

“I’m trying to work on my start and controlling the race from the beginning,” said Levenstone.

“If Shamar can put it all together, and execute what we work on, then there’s a really good chance he’ll be at the state championship meet,” said Coach Hurd.

The UIL 6A Region II championship meet will take place on April 23-24 at Waco Midway High School.