Living up to billing

Bromell’s speed is such that he’s even managed to catch up to his sterling high school reputation, which preceded him like a bullet to Baylor. The freshman from St. Petersburg, Fla., also owns the nation’s top wind-legal time in the 100 at 10.01, and his prep record of 9.99 from last year remains the best in US high school history.

Still, seeing that 9.77 flash on the screen was a little awe-inspiring. At the very least, it kept Bromell busy the next couple of days responding to all the congratulatory text messages and Tweets aimed in his direction.

“My phone, social media, it was blowing up like crazy after the whole thing,” Bromell said. “It was a real humbling experience, but I’ve got to get my mind focused for the next meet. I don’t want to look past anything.”

In Fayetteville, Bromell will forgo the 200-meter race and fixate his efforts on the 100 and 4x100 relay. He has pulled up short with cramps in each of his last 200s, and Baylor coach Todd Harbour doesn’t want the sprinter to overextend himself, especially given the prelim-semifinal-final format of the NCAA West meet.