When this 16-year-old stepped onto the track and field world at California’s 105th state championships, few expected history to unfold in the blink of an eye, but with one explosive burst, the De La Salle phenom did more than win a race; he ignited a firestorm across the internet and the high school athletics world. With a lean across the line and a glance at the clock, the youngster became the name on every sprinter’s lips.
Jaden Jefferson clocked a staggering 10.01 seconds in the 100 meters, smashing the state-meet record of 10.20 set just a year ago by Rodrick Pleasant. It wasn’t just a win. It was domination. And it instantly transformed Jefferson from a promising athlete into a national headline. Videos of the race went viral within hours, with commentators and fans alike stunned by the raw speed from a high school junior.
That timing, 10.01 seconds, has become the new gold standard in California high school sprinting. It wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t wind-aided. It was a perfectly executed sprint from a young athlete with next-level talent. And it’s what has now set Jefferson apart, not only from his peers but from years of California track legends. His performance didn’t just shatter a record. It launched a social media frenzy, with analysts debating how soon he could break the 10-second barrier.
Jefferson isn’t done either. He qualified for the finals in both the 4×100 relay and the 200 meters, where he placed second in his heat with a 20.99. And with the finals looming, all eyes are on whether he can build on this momentum or rewrite more record books. The showdown is set, especially with names like Torrance’s Nicolas Obimgba in the mix.
STATE. RECORD. SHATTERED.
De La Salle’s Jaden Jefferson ran California’s fastest 100-meter time ever, another special chapter for the multi-sporter.
NorCal has speed too.
Story: https://t.co/ri1XV51OJs pic.twitter.com/z7IEbQwEIS
— West Coast Preps (@westcoastpreps_) June 2, 2025
Behind the scenes, Jefferson and the De La Salle team are running with heavy hearts. Every stride is a tribute to their late coach, John Harvey. But on the track, there’s nothing somber about Jefferson’s performance. It’s electric. And after 10.01 seconds of brilliance, the sprinting world is officially on notice. Meanwhile, with such a strong showing coming in, the online fans seem to be mightily impressed.
Fans heap praise on Jaden Jefferson after stellar show
As soon as the news gained traction, fans flocked to the comments section. The sheer shock surrounding Jaden Jefferson’s 10.01-second sprint is so intense that fans began questioning whether the race was even the right one. One fan wrote, “Was this the CA race with the timing error, or was it another one?” Such a comment doesn’t dispute the time directly but highlights how unbelievable the performance was, sparking confusion over the very identity of the meet.
Jefferson’s viral run triggered widespread disbelief, to the point where fans are running their analyses. One said, “I did a recording of the race only because I was curious if it was even close since people were saying it was off .2-.3.” Even self-described amateurs are reviewing footage just to process the near-mythical speed they witnessed.
The skepticism intensified when a fan insisted, “Fake, not only the inconsistency from season to heats to final, but also frames show it’s like 3 tenths off.” It wasn’t just the final time that stunned them. It was the rapid leap from solid to supernatural that made them think something had to be off. Jefferson’s youth only heightened the disbelief. One Reddit user wrote, “No way that time is real???? That would make him the U18 WR holder at only 16!”
Dropping a 10.01 at this age isn’t just impressive; it’s nearly unprecedented. This reaction demonstrates how Jefferson’s time forces fans to recalibrate what is possible for a high schooler. The buzz was so overwhelming, it crossed into humor and hyperbole: “Yup…and also recruited to play American football in 2026 for the legendary Bill Belichick at the University of North Carolina.”
The sarcasm underscores just how surreal Jefferson’s sprint seemed. Like something only a scriptwriter or Belichick could imagine. Thus, with a lot of promise shown, it remains to be seen how Jefferson carries on with the momentum.
The post ‘Fake’: Track and Field Community Left in Disbelief as 16-Year-Old Star Drops Career’s Most Shocking Timing appeared first on EssentiallySports.
