Nerves calm.
The starter pistol releases a puff of smoke, but Camden County senior sprinter Chandler Nichols is conditioned to move the moment the hammer strikes the brass blank primer. Nichols’ pyramid-shaped track spike slams into the spongy track, the first five steps; all muscle memory. It’s that confidence and technique that has followed him throughout his track and field career for the Camden County Wildcats.
“I would say my track season has been ‘painfully great’,” Nichols said. “There have been a lot of ups and downs in my track career; such as dealing with hamstring injuries and adjusting from summer league to high school. Also, I’ve competed at high level track meets such as the Junior Olympics and State which have been really worth it.”
Nichols finished third overall in the 100-meter dash, eighth in the 200-meter dash, and second in the 4×400 meter relay, where the Wildcat team took second at the Class AAAAA State Championship this year.
“We finally made it back to the state track meet, where I felt like it was redemption for my previous years in high school,” he said. “Each race, I gave it my all, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. In the end, I am really fortunate that I was able to end my senior with the greatest team I have been on. Everybody worked hard on and off the field, so to see their hard work pay off just made coming to state even more worth it.”
Nichols found himself against familiar competition in the 100-meter and 200-meter races, battling against Bradwell Institute’s Chris Jackson. Jackson, according to Nichols, has been one of the toughest runners to face in region track meets. Jackson stayed the worthy opponent during the final high school meet, finishing second in the 100-meter dash and third in the 200-meter dash.
Nichols has been running track since 5th grad. He started participating in the Junior Olympics when he was in seventh grade; he earned a silver medal in the 100-meter in 2014 and was a 2014 USATF US Area Youth Olympic Trials Bronze medalist in the 100-meters.
“It is a reminder that there are some very talented and elite runners across the nation,” he said. “I must continue to work hard if I want to be competitive.”
In the last two seasons, Chandler was Region 3-AAAAA 100-meter champion, 2016 200-meter Region Three runner-up. Nichols anchored the 4×400-meter Region Three Championship team, setting a new Camden County Record. Nichols set records in the 100-meter dash at the Swamp Relays with a 10.50 and in the 60-meter dash (15-16 year old division) at the Indoor Alumni Invitational.
The accomplishments have not been easy, and Nichols continues to work hard because he knows that his competitors are working just as hard. Five days a week, Nichols is honing is technique and speed in various sprints, from 800-meters to 50-meters. His training regimen also includes pulling sand bags and resistance training with parachutes in addition to weight training.
“To me, it is 50 percent mental, 30 percent technique, 20 percent drive,” he said. “I believe training with the right equipment is key in obtaining my goals. Having sprint spikes, vice distance spikes, resistance bands, compression clothing, and good blocks all have played a part in my development.”
Dividends are manifesting in the time he has put into his track career. Chandler has maintained a stellar 4.1 GPA and will attend Kennesaw State University in the fall, where he was awarded a track and field scholarship.
“Sometimes I know my races will not be a personal record, and other times I feel as if I just ran a world record,” he said. “Anytime I set a personal record, it lets me know I am getting better, and the hard work is paying off.”
Chandler loves the sprint races but equally enjoys the competition of the 4×400 meter relay, which allows him to compete in a team competition rather than individual.
“It’s not hard to make the transition from running with the team,” he said. “I seem to focus more to make sure I don’t let my team down. I run the anchor leg, and that is when you have to make up any distance or time. Just like every other relay member, one of my worst nightmares is that I would have a large lead and drop the baton before the finish line. But good technique and concentration keep me from doing that.”
Away from the track, he likes to hang out with friends, and like any coastal Georgian, he also loves spending time on the beach.
“My greatest influence out side of coaches and teammates has been my sister Natori, because she is always in my corner,” he said. “She keeps me grounded and challenges me to do better.”
Personal Records
100-meter: 10.50
200-meter: 21.76
60-meter: 6.97
55-meter: 6.68
What it feels like to run the 100-meter dash:
“The moment that the starter shoots the gun, my mind goes blank and it’s all muscle memory for the first five steps. After that, I am focusing on my footwork and arm movement. I ask myself, ‘Am I moving my arms fast enough?’ ‘Is this my top speed, or can I move faster?’ These questions go through my mind in nanoseconds. About halfway through the race, all I can think about is what time I will have. When I finally cross the finish line, I survey myself, deciding whether or not I did all I could do and what I need to improve. One of the greatest things about track is the fun and intensity of lining up and competing the person next to you.”
South Georgia/ May 2016
Chandler Nichols
Photos by Michael Brinson
Nichols takes life in a sprint and stride
By John Wood
