“Watching EJ run on the track is gracefulness in action. What’s so impressive about him is his unmatched strength. The latter half of his race is always stronger than the first half, so to witness him accelerate through a race and finish stronger than he started is unreal.”

Nanette Solomon-Gaines

Head Coach - Head coach of Bethel High

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot-1, 150-pound senior swept the 200- and 400-meter dash at the Class 5A state meet this past season, leading the Bruins to a third-place finish as a team. Richardson’s winning time in the 400 of 46.55 seconds ranked No. 8 in the nation among prep competitors in 2019 at the time of his selection. His personal-best of 21.32 in the 200 ranked No. 65 in the country. Also a top hurdler, Richardson clocked the No. 12 performance in the nation in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles and No. 60 in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles. He concluded his prep indoor and outdoor track career with 17 state titles.

Academic Achievement

Richardson has maintained a weighted 4.04 GPA in the classroom and graduated with an advanced diploma. He has signed a national letter of intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at the University of South Carolina beginning this fall.

Exemplary Character

A member of the Bethel High Junior ROTC program, Richardson has volunteered locally as both a peer and youth mentor.