ST. GEORGE — Last spring, twins Marcus and Dominique McKenzie rewrote the Pine View and state track and field record books.
At Pine View, Marcus broke the 100-meter record with a clocking of 10.55 seconds, while Dominique recorded the second all-time mark at 10.60. In the 200 meters, Dominique set a new record at 20.73, with Marcus second all-time at 21.10.
And at 400 meters, an event the brothers seldom compete in, they are Nos. 2 and 3 all-time at Pine View with Dominique running a 48.45 and Marcus right behind at 49.13.
But the list doesn’t end there.
As members of the Pine View relay teams, the McKenzie brothers broke the 4×200-meter relay record at 1:26.80, which also is a state record and 3.20 seconds faster than the second-fastest finish ever at Pine View. They were also part of the relay team that broke the 4×400-meter record at 3:25.96. Additionally, they are also No. 2 all-time at Pine View in the 4×100-meter relay with a 42.80-second effort.
The brothers also excel in the field; Marcus has long-jumped farther than any other Pine View student-athlete at 22 feet, 7 inches, and Dominque is No. 5 all-time for the Panthers at 21-7.25.
Putting Pine View on the Map
Last year, the Pine View boys finished second in the Utah 4A state track and field championships, falling just a few points short of Desert Hills.
In that meet the McKenzie brothers had what might be considered the most impressive prep performance in the history of the state. Dominique won the 100, 200, and 400 events and placed fifth in the long jump. Marcus placed second in the 100, 200, 400 and long jumping. In total the brothers amassed over 80 points.
As impressive as that state meet was, during their junior season the brothers achieved more than just a second-place trophy.
In the Jaguar Indoor Invitational last February, Marcus broke the state record in the 60-meter dash, going 6.77, which is the No. 7 fastest time nationally in that event. He was followed by Dominique in second at 6.88. Marcus also broke the Utah indoor record in the 200 with a time of 21.22, good enough for No. 6 nationally.
In the outdoor season Dominique became the first prep trackster to ever run a sub-21-second 200as he posted a 20.96 at the BYU Invitational on May 8. That record-breaking performance was in the prelims and Dominique recorded an even faster 20.73 time later in the day. That time, however, was wind aided at +3.6 which is over the +2.1 required to be official. So, the Pine View record is marked at 20.73 but the state record is 20.96.
Marcus was right behind him in the 200, also breaking the state record with a 21.10-second second-place performance. They later teamed up for the 4×200-meter relay and smashed that state record with a 1:26.80 performance.
Adding it All Up
When you put together all of the races from their junior season, Dominique has run the sixth fastest 100-meter time of any prep in the history of the state, owns the 200-meter record (all classifications) as well as the no. 7 fastest 200 all-time and was part of the record breaking 4×200-meter relay team, according to UHSAA.org.
Marcus owns the 10th fastest 100-meter time, the No. 2 and No. 9 fastest 200-meter times (outdoor), the No. 1 spot in both the 60-meter and 200-meter indoor, reports MileSplit.com, and was also part of the record breaking 4×200-meter relay.
Add it all up, and the McKenzie brothers have a combined five Utah state prep records, not just for the 4A classification, but for ALL prep athletes.
Balancing Track with Football
With so much speed, the McKenzie brothers have been forced to make some difficult decisions regarding their futures on the track.
While track was their first love, there are significant opportunities on the football field and both brothers have translated their speed from the track over to speed on the gridiron.
Dominique had 1,720 receiving yards his junior season, ranking No. 4 nationally and earning him 4 stars as a recruit (ESPN) and several high-profile scholarship offers.
Marcus made plays on both sides of the ball, finding success as both a receiver and as a defensive back. The 3-star safety also received his fair share of scholarship offers.
They have decided to stay put in Utah and signed with BYU after flipping from an earlier commitment to play for Virginia. BYU recruited Dominique as a receiver and Marcus as a cornerback, and have also left the door open to the possibility of doing track in addition to football.
Dominique decided to forgo his senior track season in favor of graduating early so he might serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Atlanta, Georgia. He will return home in time to participate in spring practices with hopes of playing the 2024 football season.
Unfinished Business
Marcus has decided to see out his senior season and compete without his brother for the first time since they were 8 years old.
“I believe we have a chance to win state,” Marcus said. “We feel that this year we have another opportunity to win, even with Dom gone.”
Marcus weighed the possibility of graduating early with his brother but recognized that most returned missionaries take some time to get back into top shape. He looks forward to staying and working towards a team state title this track season.
McKenzie has much faith in his teammates and vows to work even hard this season to bring out the best in them.
“I’m hoping to help my teammates to get low times, to help them improve,” he said.
While a state title is the ultimate goal, that doesn’t mean Marcus doesn’t have a few individual goals as well. He sees early-season meets as an opportunity to improve and set personal records (PRs). And as the season progresses, the focus returns to how to best help the team.
“My goal is to go sub-21, and to beat Dom’s record in the 200,” Marcus said.
He’s also shooting for a sub 10.5 100-meter and to improve the times for each of his races. If he does so, he may end up being the most decorated prep runner in the history of Utah.
And Pine View might get that championship trophy.
Written by TYLER CHRISTENSEN.
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