Powdar Gets A Shot At Redemption In The Hurdles After 2018 False Start

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat 

Kurt Powdar has mixed emotions about the last time he set foot on the track inside the famed Armory in New York.

Powdar, who hails from Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake, Va. came into the 2018 New Balance Nationals Indoor meet as one of the nation’s top hurdlers and was eager to prove himself against the best of the best. 

“Everything felt good that day from my block start all the way to how I felt while hurdling,” he said. “I had just come off of a (shuttle hurdles relay) title the day before so I wanted to keep the momentum going into the next race.” 

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That race was the 60-meter hurdles. After dropping a time of 7.64 for the fastest mark in the semifinals, it appeared Powdar was in the driver's seat to take home a national title.

A false start halted those dreams. One year later, it’s still fresh in his mind. He remembers the feeling of it all, and it fuels his drive to succeed. 

“I remember how it felt to look at the red card and be told to exit the track,” he explained. “I remember watching the race from the side and see the empty lane 4. I remember thinking, ‘If only I’d have waited a fraction of a second longer.’ That was my first and last time (false starting) because I don’t want to ever go through that again.” 

Oscar Smith has had a long-standing tradition of hurdle standouts, and Powdar is pleased to be a part of that history. He credits the athletes’ drive to get better to coach Stan Holloway.

“No matter how long we need to practice he’ll stay with us until we’re satisfied with the workout,” Powdar said. “He demonstrates drills, explains to the best of his abilities, and listens to what we have to say. He has years of experience as well, so he knows what he is talking about.” 

The senior has amassed three indoor state titles, three outdoor state titles and two national championships in his high school career. The two national crowns came in the shuttle hurdles relay, and then the 110-meter hurdles at New Balance Nationals Outdoor.  

A future Florida Gator, Powdar has his eyes set not just on his first indoor individual hurdle title, but a second shuttle hurdles relay win with his team.

He would also like to surpass the records of another Gator, Grant Holloway, coach Stan’s son. 

“My goal for NBNI is to not only win the 60 hurdles and a second SHR title, but to also break Grant’s state record in the 55 and 60 hurdles,” Powdar said. “I’ve been a part of one SHR title and it would mean the world to me to win another one with this group of guys. I’ve known them for so long and we’ve grown close to each other. We’re like family now.”

Get To Know Kurt Powdar

What are three things people may not know about you?

People don’t know that I hate vegetables, and that my dad, my brother, and I all have the same name.

Are you currently binge watching any shows on Netflix?

A show I binge watch on Netflix is Naruto. I’ve watched all the episodes and movies at least three times.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals?

My pre-meet ritual is to go to 7/11 and get a sausage biscuit set to exactly 15 seconds and the 7/11 drink that’s watermelon flavor.

If you weren't running track what sport would you play?

If I wasn’t running track I’d probably do football.

Finishing the sentence, Kurt Powdar is ______. 

Kurt Powdar is probably the goofiest person you’ll ever meet.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

You can follow me onTwitter @kurtpowdar.