Coahoma's Kohen Grantom didn't just show up to the UIL state track and field meet at Mike A. Meyers Stadium—he arrived with a mission. And he left with both gold medals and shattered records.

The sophomore sensation swept the boys wheelchair events, kicking things off with a shot put gold medal at 27 feet, 8 inches—a significant upgrade from his silver medal performance last season. But Grantom was just getting started. He went on to claim gold in both the 100m and 400m, setting new state records with times of 15.13 seconds and 53.50 seconds, respectively.

For most athletes, breaking state records would be a career-defining moment. For Grantom, it's a stepping stone. "My time isn't usually what I run, but it was enough to get the record, but it wasn't what I was shooting for," he said, showing the relentless drive that separates champions from contenders.

That drive paid off earlier this season at the Region I-3A meet in Abilene, where Grantom broke meet, state, and national records in the 400m with a blistering 50.3 seconds. The key to his growth? Learning to be kinder to himself when things don't go perfectly. "I try not to beat myself up for not winning a competition," Grantom explained. "It's a lot of training and getting into the right mindset."

Even with gold medals and records in hand, Grantom acknowledged the challenges of competition. "I feel like the wind definitely played a role in the first 200 meters and bumped my time somewhere I didn't want it to be. But at the end of the day, it's part of the sport—it happens, so I'm just glad I came out with the gold and got the record still."

Now holding state and national records, Grantom is setting his sights even higher. On Monday, he departs for Switzerland to compete in the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, where he'll take on everything from the 100m to the 5k. Part of this international journey includes obtaining an international classification—a crucial step toward competing on the world's biggest stages.

From state records to the world stage, Kohen Grantom is proving that the only limits that matter are the ones you refuse to accept. And for this young athlete from Coahoma, the finish line is just the beginning.