Chemistry is something you can’t teach, but when you combine raw talent with perfect teamwork, something magical happens. That magic was on full display as Wheatley High School’s 4×100-meter boys relay team advanced to the Area round for the fifth consecutive year after running 42.88 at the HISD 4A District 20 track meet.
“Our 4×100-meter relay team is remarkable,” said head coach Lionel Kinsey III. “This team is incredibly talented and considered one of the best groups to ever attend Wheatley High School.”
This year’s relay team consists of four seniors: Jacorey Bonner, Joseph Andrews Jr., Nazier Elder and Arzjon Hawkins, showcasing a perfect blend of skill and chemistry that makes them hard to stop.
Last season’s team consisted of three juniors and senior Demetrius Evans, who ran the lead-off leg. However, with Evans graduating, Kinsey made a strategic shift by moving Bonner, the anchor leg for the past two years, to the first leg.
“Moving to the first leg was a bit of a transition,” said Bonner. “From running without blocks to coming out of blocks and from receiving the baton to giving it, it took some getting used to. I ran hurdles my junior year, so coming out of the blocks wasn’t new; I just had to adjust and focus on giving us a quick start.”
Relays come down to two things: speed and baton delivery, making Bonner’s role crucial in setting the tone for the team. Once he’s off and running, he passes the baton to Andrews Jr., who runs the second leg.
“Joseph is incredibly strong in the second leg, which is crucial because it’s the longest stretch without a curve,” said Kinsey. “I structure the team with the strongest runners between the second and third legs.”
Andrews has been running the second leg for the past two years, and his consistency is key to their success. He hands the baton off to Elder, the team’s smallest runner at 5-feet-9 and 151 pounds, but don’t let his size fool you.
“Being shorter, people tend to underestimate the power I bring,” said Elder, who excels at running the curve, making him the perfect fit for the third leg. His smooth transition to Hawkins at the anchor is the final piece of the puzzle.
Hawkins, the newest member of the relay squad, brings a wealth of experience. After attending Wheatley as a freshman and sophomore, he transferred to Aldine McArthur for his junior year before returning to Wheatley for this season.
“I’ve only been running the anchor leg for the last two meets, but when I get the baton from Elder, my only thought is to keep the lead and win,” Hawkins said. “I’m focused on finishing strong.”
With a perfect blend of speed, power, and endurance, Hawkins is the perfect anchor, embodying the traits of his teammates in one final explosive burst.
For Wheatley’s 4×100-meter relay team to continue advancing, they will need to continue dropping their time by getting to a fast start and having flawless handoffs to maintain their speed as they race around the track.
“The only difficulty we faced this season was finally putting the right chemistry together,” said Coach Kinsey. “With some runners coming in late due to other sports, it took a while to get everyone in place. But now that we have our relay team locked in, we’re a mainstay. We’re able to focus on the little things and sharpen them up. Our goal is to reach the state meet.”
About Jacorey Bonner
Class: 2025
Twitter: @4llahcorey
Events: 4×1, 4×2, long jump
Height & weight: 6-feet-2, 180 pounds
Favorite artist: Hunxho
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: Culinary
About Joseph Andrews Jr.
Class: 2025
IG: @j.andrews12_
Twitter: @Joeshiesty12
Events: 4×1, 4×2, 100-meters
Height & weight: 6-feet-2, 185 pounds
Favorite artist: Lil Baby
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: Math
About Nazier Elder:
Class: 2025
IG: @n5triim
Events: 4×1, 4×2, 100-meters
Height & weight: 5-feet-9, 151 pounds
Favorite artist: NBA YoungBoy
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: Math
About Arzjon Hawkins:
Class: 2025
IG: @znc.aj
Events: 200-meters, 4×1, 4×2
Height & weight: 5-feet-11, 145 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subject: English
