For nearly half a year, Sam Austin — like high school, college and pro athletes across the globe — was robbed of the opportunity to compete.
The Oviedo High track standout couldn’t go to school in April and May with the COVID-19 pandemic closing classes. He couldn’t race with high school sports shut down. Summer meets were nowhere to be found.
With time to spare, Austin worked out like never before and gained a newfound passion for lifting weights to enhance his running sessions.
“I had nothing else to do,” Austin said Friday night between two relay races at the Charlie Harris Relays at Lake Brantley High School.