Barney Cobb, renowned for his exceptional speed, is sprinting straight into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame.

The former John Marshall High School track and field champion will be formally inducted April 26 during a ceremony in Charlottesville.

“I’m humbled, very humbled, and thrilled,” Mr. Cobb says. “When I got the envelope (from VHSL), I was overcome with joy. In fact, I went into another room so my mother (Annie Cobb) wouldn’t see me cry.”

The former star for the Justices was quick to thank friends Reggie Walston and Darin Thompson for nominating him and handling the extensive paperwork VHSL required.

“It has been like a two-year project,” he says.

Mr. Cobb also is a member of the Richmond Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.

He ran track at John Marshall High under Coaches Bill Miller, Bill Christian and Gene Appler. He won six Capital District, five Central Region and three State AAA titles in the 100-yard dash in 1971 and 1972 and the 220 yards in 1971. He added a 1972 AAA indoor championship title in the 60-yard dash.

His personal bests of 9.4 seconds for 100 yards, 21.2 for 220 yards and 47.1 for 440 yards still stand as John Marshall High records. The VHSL switched from yards to meters in 1980.

Regardless of achievement, there was always another hill to climb for Mr. Cobb.

“I’d be happy with my times for one minute, then I’d be determined to get even faster,” Mr. Cobb says.

He recalls two races in particular. One was a victory, another a close second.

At the 1970 Capital District meet at Thomas Jefferson High School when he was a sophomore, he defeated previously undefeated and many times state champion Kent Merritt of Lane High School in Charlottesville in the 220.

At the 1972 State Group AAA finals in Hampton, he finished second to Ferguson High School’s Ronnie Ray in the 440. Mr. Cobb ran it in 47.1 seconds, runner-up to Mr. Ray’s blistering time of 45.8, then a national record.

From John Marshall, Mr. Cobb became a three-time, All-American at Louisiana State University. He was among the first African-Americans to receive an athletic scholarship to the Southeast Conference school in Baton Rouge.

At LSU, he posted personal bests of 10.2 in the 100 meters, 20.5 in the 200 meters and 46.5 in the 400 meters. He also set a LSU record for 60 meters indoors and qualified for the 1976 Olympic Trials.

Since returning from LSU, Mr. Cobb has served in various teaching, coaching and personal training capacities. He is in his fourth season as assistant track coach at St. Christopher’s School in Richmond. Previously, he coached at Deep Run High School in Henrico County.

Additionally, he directs a youth track club called Bodies by Barney at. St. Christopher’s. There are signs he is as good a coach as he was a runner.

Among his prized pupils is Cameron Thompson, now a student at Hungary Creek Middle School in Glen Allen. A fleet Cobb protégé, Cameron won national U-12 AAU titles in the 100- and 200-meters in 2018.

He will have plenty of company at the VHSL’s 31st Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Others inductees include former Virginia Tech football Coach Frank Beamer, former NFL football star Leroy Keyes from George Washington Carver High School in Newport News and football official Charlie Cloe from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond.

Meet a record-setter inspiring the younger generation and this week’s Personality, Barney Cobb:

Latest honor: Selected for the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame.

Date and place of birth: Sept. 8 in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Current home: Richmond.

Education: Proud graduate of John Marshall High School; attended Louisiana State University.

Family: Single, confirmed bachelor; father, John H. Cobb, deceased; mother, An- nie L. Cobb; brothers, John Jr., Toney, Courtney (Chris); and sister, Shannon Jarvis.

When and how I received news that I was selected: When I got home on Monday, Feb. 3, there was a letter from the VHSL in the mail.

First reaction: Surprised, humbled and tears of joy!

What this honor means to me: That, as an athlete, I represented my school, John Marshall High, well, and, as a coach, I have mentored, helped kids and given back to the community.

When and where award will be presented: Sunday, April 26, at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville.

How I start the day: Always positive. I prepare, plan and stay positive.

Quality I most admire in another person: Integrity.

Three words that best describe me: Honest, humorous and humble.

Something I love that most people would never imagine: I am the biggest Frank Sinatra fan in the world.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” — John Lennon

A perfect day for me is: Working out at the gym, meeting a friend for lunch or coffee, coaching young people in track, going home and watching old movies, especially Westerns and gangster movies.

Best late-night snack: Rocky Road ice cream.

How I unwind: Driving, especially at night, while listening to music.

At the top of my “to-do” list: Live on the beach in Aruba with Halle Berry.

Teaching philosophy: To teach children is the best way for them to learn.

Coaches should be: Mentors and role models.

Role of sports in developing young people to become good citizens: Teach kids teamwork and that nothing takes the place of hard work.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Hard work and integrity.

The person who influenced me the most: Besides my parents, Bill Christian, my coach at John Marshall.

The book that influenced me the most: “TheAutobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley.

What I’m reading now:“Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood” by Trevor Noah.

My next goal: In my entire life, my goal has always been to be a better person to my fellow man each and every day. That’s no corny line; that’s the truth!