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Olympic sprinter Erriyon Knighton is Hillsborough High’s latest star. Here are some other big names

The 17-year-old Olympian joins an elite group of Hillsborough athletes, from former MLB slugger Gary Sheffield to NASCAR vet Aric Almirola.
 
Erriyon Knighton finishes in third during the final in the men's 200-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on June 27.
Erriyon Knighton finishes in third during the final in the men's 200-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on June 27. [ ASHLEY LANDIS | Associated Press ]
Published Aug. 2, 2021|Updated Aug. 3, 2021

U.S. sprinter Erriyon Knighton will earn national attention tonight in Tokyo when he runs the 200 meters. Because of his age — 17 — his high school, Hillsborough, will be in the spotlight, too.

Then again, Hillsborough High should be used to that.

Related: Tampa’s Erriyon Knighton is Tokyo bound. So what do his classmates think?

The Terriers arguably boast the area’s deepest, richest athletic tradition. Here’s a quick, admittedly incomplete look at some of the notable sports stars Knighton will be joining when he runs tonight:

Former MLB pitcher Dwight Gooden

Dwight Gooden starred for the Mets and won the 1985 Cy Young Award. [ Times files ]

1985 Cy Young Award winner made four All-Star teams and won World Series with the Mets and Yankees.

Former MLB outfielder Gary Sheffield

Nine-time All-Star hit 509 career home runs over 22 seasons and earned a World Series ring with the Marlins in 1997.

Former Tennessee/NFL linebacker Steve Kiner

College Football Hall of Famer won two SEC championships for the Volunteers and started 99 NFL games with stints in Dallas, Houston and New England.

Former Miami linebacker Maurice Crum

Won a pair of national championships with the Hurricanes and led them in tackles in 1988-90.

NASCAR driver Aric Almirola

Aric Almirola broke through last month with his first victory of the season, at New Hampshire. [ CHARLES KRUPA | AP ]

Has three career victories in NASCAR’s top Cup Series, including one at New Hampshire last month. Finished fifth overall in 2018.

Former MLB outfielder Carl Everett

Made two All-Star teams over his 14 seasons in the majors and won the 2005 World Series with the White Sox.

Related: Carl Everett is Terriers' latest gift to majors

Former Gators lineman Shannon Shell

Started 36 games at left guard and earned 2003 All-America honors from the Sporting News.

Former MLB catcher/outfielder Mike Heath

Spent 14 seasons in the majors and won the 1978 World Series with the Yankees.

Former college football coach Marcelino “Chelo” Huerta

Former Hillsborough offensive lineman went 98-58-3 as the coach at the University of Tampa, Wichita State and Parsons. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.

Former Gators basketball star Andy Owens

Forward still holds the school’s single-season scoring record (27.0 points per game, before the 3-point era) and is a member of UF’s athletic hall of fame.

Gators defensive lineman Zachary Carter

Zachary Carter was one of the Gators' top defensive players last season and is one of the top returning linemen in the SEC. [ PHELAN M. EBENHACK | AP (2020) ]

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Started 11 games for Florida last year and turned down a spot in the NFL draft for another year in Gainesville. Enters his redshirt senior season as a preseason first-team all-SEC selection.

Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown

Former Purdue defensive back has started 41 games over the past five seasons in Dallas.