Julius Kinsler (‘26) broke a 20-year-old school record in the 400-meter race, finishing in 48.34 seconds and cementing his place among South’s all-time greats.
A four-year member of the varsity track and field team, Kinsler has specialized in both the 400-meter and 200-meter events. His growth over time has been dramatic; after running in the high 50-second range as a freshman, he steadily improved each year, eventually dropping to a record-breaking 48.34 seconds as a senior. His development also earned him All-American status after medaling in his event at the Adidas Indoor Nationals.
“I first got into track in the seventh grade,” Kinsler said. “I wanted to play a sport in the spring and thought I would try it. I stuck with it into freshman year, which is when I started to see a lot of improvement. That pushed me to keep going.”
Head track coach Amirah Muneer witnessed that progression firsthand. “Starting in his freshman year, he was running a 58, 57, and now in his senior year, he broke the school record with a 48.34,” Muneer said. “He has progressed tremendously in his running.”
Kinsler’s best event, the 400 meters, reflects both his physical ability and strategic mindset. “The 400m is my favorite because it is a sprint, but still long enough where there is a lot of strategy,” Kinsler said. “There’s time to make up for any mistakes you might have earlier in the race.”
When it comes to preparing for high-pressure moments, Kinsler relies on focus and routine. “When I am getting prepared for a big race, I try to keep an open mind,” he said. “I don’t think about my competitors, I just focus on my warmup and my start, because starting well usually sets me up for a good performance.”
As Kinsler’s performances improved, so did his leadership. Once a quiet underclassman, he grew into a vocal and motivating presence. “He was really quiet his freshman and sophomore years, but then we started seeing him come out of his shell and become a leader,” Muneer said. “That’s why we made him a captain going into his junior year.”
Teammates noticed the transformation as well. “Freshman year he was more quiet, not much of a leader,” said teammate Aydun-Just’us Hines (‘26). “Then junior and senior year, he became a leader, got faster, and started leading the team more. He’s a good teammate, motivated and strong.”
Now, Kinsler leads by example, guiding workouts and pushing his teammates. “With workouts, he leads a lot of them, encouraging others to run harder and stay focused,” Muneer said. “He’s always pushing everyone to try their best.”
Kinsler’s rise didn’t happen overnight. A turning point came during his junior indoor season. “I realized I could compete with high-level athletes going into sectionals,” Kinsler said. “I looked at the seed times and knew I had a shot to win. When I did, it showed me I could compete with anyone.”
That confidence has only grown. “Now I feel like on a good day I can go head-to-head with anyone in the state,” he said. “Before, I would get nervous racing faster kids. Now that nervousness has been replaced by confidence.”
During his junior year, Kinsler qualified for Adidas Track Indoor Nationals in Virginia Beach, one of the most competitive high school meets in the country. “It wasn’t my fastest time ever, but it was a huge personal best at the time,” he said. “I had been building toward that race, and I got to see all my hard work pay off. I medaled and earned All-American.”
Through it all, his mindset has remained consistent. “I handle pressure by trusting my training and coaching,” Kinsler said. “I know I’ve worked hard to be here. I set high goals for myself, but even if I don’t hit them, I can still learn from every race.”
His coach says that mindset is what truly sets him apart. “It’s insane,” Muneer said. “I’ve never had an athlete like him. He trains hard and constantly pushes himself way out of his comfort zone.”
As Kinsler prepares to graduate, his impact on the program is undeniable. From a quiet freshman running in the high 50s to a record-breaking captain at 48.34 seconds, he has set a new standard for dedication and growth at South.
“I’m just grateful I got to watch him grow over these four years,” Muneer said.
And while his high school career is coming to an end, it’s clear Kinsler isn’t finished; he’s just getting started.
