One year after becoming Summer Creek High School’s first male para-athlete to qualify for the UIL 6A State Track Meet, sophomore Marquez Barnes returned, faster, stronger, and more confident than ever.
After losing 65 pounds, transforming his body in the weight room, and earning a lighter, custom-fit racing chair, Barnes qualified for state again in the 100-meter, 400-meter, and shot put. But just days before heading to Austin, his new chair developed alignment and frame issues at regionals and could not be repaired in time for state, forcing him back into the heavier, poorly-fitting chair he had left behind.
“The new chair was a custom fit and much lighter than the old chair,” said Marquez. “I felt I could truly compete at a higher level with all the other top-performing athletes.”
“Seeing Marquez finally compete with equipment designed specifically for him meant everything to me,” said Marquez’s mother, Lavona Thomas. “It was emotional and rewarding to watch him compete comfortably and confidently with equipment tailored to his needs. It gave me hope for his future and showed me what is possible for him.”
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Seeing Marquez’s determination and happiness reminded his parents of why they kept pushing forward despite every challenge.
For Marquez, the new chair was more than just upgraded equipment. It became the reward for months of work that transformed him into a completely different athlete.
“Losing at state broke me for a while, but it also forced me to look at myself honestly,” said Marquez. “I decided the first change had to be my health, and that decision changed everything after.”
Unhappy with his fourth-place shot put finish (21-feet-2), sixth-place finishes in the 100 meters (22.02) and 400 meters (1:25.61) during his freshman season, Marquez dedicated himself to the weight room and entered his sophomore season 65 pounds lighter and significantly stronger.
“I am extremely proud of the progress I have made, both physically and mentally,” said Marquez. “This journey has pushed me in ways I never expected, and despite setbacks and challenges, I have continued to grow stronger and more determined. Physically, I have worked hard to improve my performance and endurance, and mentally, I have learned to stay focused, resilient, and motivated even in difficult moments.”
That newfound confidence quickly became visible not only in Marquez’s performance but also in the way he carried himself both on and off the track.
“My confidence within myself has definitely increased, from the way I feel around people, speak in front of others, and see myself when I look in the mirror. I’m extremely proud of myself, and I won’t stop,” said Marquez.
That growing self-belief soon began translating into a more disciplined and strategic approach in competition.
“The thing that set Marquez apart this year from other athletes he competed against was his mental focus on becoming a smarter racer and paying attention to all the strategic details of racing,” said Marquez’s race coach, Dr. Dwight J. Smith.
By the time the regional meet arrived, everything seemed to be coming together for another breakthrough moment. Then the new chair began having issues, forcing Barnes to send it back to the manufacturer and leaving him with no option but to compete at the state meet in his older, heavier racing chair.
“When I learned the chair would not return before the state track meet, I felt devastated and frustrated. I immediately thought about how hard I had worked to prepare for this moment,”
Marquez Barnes
“When I learned the chair would not return before the state track meet, I felt devastated and frustrated,” said Marquez. “I immediately thought about how hard I had worked to prepare for this moment.”
Faced with another major setback, Marquez chose to stay focused, remain positive, and continue moving forward despite the disappointment.
“Racing in the old chair comes with several challenges beyond its weight,” said Marquez. “It was not designed to properly support my current needs. The chair affects my comfort, positioning, and overall performance, making it harder for me to compete at my full potential. There are also concerns about stability and added physical strain, which have affected both my confidence and performance while racing.”
It wasn’t easy, but Lavona was tasked with delivering the bad news to Marquez.
“Delivering the bad news to Marquez was extremely difficult,” said Lavona. “As a parent, it hurt to know how excited and hopeful he was, especially after waiting so long for the opportunity. Seeing his disappointment was heartbreaking, but I also knew it was important to encourage him to stay motivated and not let this setback keep him from pursuing his goals.”
For many athletes, the setback could have easily become an excuse. But those closest to Marquez say perseverance has always defined him more than his circumstances.
“The future possibilities keep me motivated,” said Marquez. “I can see myself going far in this sport. I can see myself being number one.”
Marquez finished sixth in the 100 meters (18.73), fifth in the 400 meters (1:10.83), and third in shot put (23-1.50).
Marquez continues racing, knowing he may not have the same equipment advantage he trained with all season, but he remains determined to compete.
“I hope others who hear my story learn to ‘take one day at a time, keep pushing forward, put one foot in front of the other, and NEVER stop,’” said Marquez.
While the chair may have changed, Marquez’s mindset never did.
