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.
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
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
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.
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
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Explore all your optionsStarted 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.