No matter what the sport, there is nothing like having to compete for simply a spot on a team or to be on the first string. Some run from the competition. Others like 2023 Jonesboro-Hodge High School graduate, Savantez “Seven” Phillips, thrive on it.
If there is one sport where competition is brought to the forefront, it is track and field, where you have to be the best in your event to even be able to represent your school.
Phillips proved what being in a competitive atmosphere can do for someone who eagerly looks forward to having to work hard for a position on a team.when he broke the Grambling State University (GSU) record in the 110 hurdles at the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 10th.
His mark of 13.91 in the 110 hurdles isn’t the only benchmark that Phillips has set this season. At the 2025 LSU Alumni Gold Meet on April 27th, the splendid sprinter led GSU in the 100 meters with a time of 10.89. Not bad for a man who has spent the majority of his training clearing hurdles.
“I am fortunate that we have a room full of good sprinters here,” said Phillips when reflecting on his achievements. “Having to compete against them every day in practice has made me much better.”
There is that word “compete” again.
Phillips ability to perform at his best on the biggest stages is nothing new thanks to his ingrained desire to be the best at what he competing in, something that dates back to his days at Jonesboro-Hodge.
“One of the first things we recognized as a coaching staff was that the more he was challenged, the harder he worked,” recalled JHHS head football/track coach Terrance Blankenship. “It didn’t matter if it was something that we as a staff did or simply competing against someone.”
The proof positive really showed during the 2023 spring track campaign as JHHS had two incredibly talented hurdlers in Phillips and Devontae Mozee. Early on, Phillips was the bellcow in the 110-meter hurdles while Mozee held the upper hand in the 300-meter hurdles, having turned in the 4th and 8th all-time Jackson Parish marks in the event in the 2020 and 2022 state track meets, respectively.
Undaunted, Phillips continued to work hard, resulting in three times in 2023, Phillips posted all-time top 10 marks in the 110-meter hurdles and the #1 and #2 best times in Jackson Parish history in the 300-meter hurdles, which included his 40.13 mark that earned him the Class 2A state championship.
“I was blessed to have a friend like Devontae, who thrived on competition as much as I did,” said Phillips. “I have no doubt that the success he has had in football and mine in track on the college level is a direct result of us going at each other every day.”
Only a sophomore at GSU with the best years still ahead of him, “Seven” as he is fondly called by his friends, has proven that when it comes to showing others how to succeed, he is a solid “TEN”.