Judson Grubbs has a mental approach to his hurdling for University City High that is working: “I just try to relax myself. I put my faith in God.”

The technique, taught him by his father, Judson Senior, who goes by “J.J.”, has yielded the high school sophomore a 10th-grade school record of 41.13 seconds in the 300-meter high hurdles at the Dick Wilkins Frosh-Soph Championships at Del Norte High on April 26.

The friendly, engaging student-athlete — who is enjoying his Honors Spanish class, as they delve into issues about Latin America and the suppression of rights in that region — seems to be the real deal at this early stage, on and off the track. His coaches at UCHS vouch for that.

A reporter asked for a comment from Centurion hurdles coach Max Pinto, mentioning that Judson had been very respectful. Pinto’s comment: “I can tell you, however, he was to you exactly who he is. Very respectful, kind, and about his business.”

The assistant coach, who also mentors college athletes, goes on. “I think that if you ask anyone in his training group if they were surprised (at the sophomore record), the answer would be a resounding ‘no’. When you get a mixture of competitiveness, ability, and work ethic, the sky is the limit.”

The young Grubbs is proud that he is carrying on the mantle from his dad, who grew up in Chihuahua, northern Mexico, until age 7, then starred in track in high school in Tucson, Ariz.

“My coaches (including head coach John Hutsel) have helped me with speed, endurance, acceleration, and the mindset of helping out your teammates,” Judson said in a recent interview on “recovery day” after the Wilkins meet.

Regarding Pinto’s comment that Grubbs acts as if he had “an older sibling to show him how to carry himself”, he has an older sister, but she isn’t involved in track. “Sometimes I feel I have to be the older sibling,” he says. “Honestly, looking out for my sister — making sure everything she does is in her best interests.”

It is this awareness and care for others that can make him unique in the individualistic world of track and field. He elaborates on his mental approach, which has yielded positive results: “If I just relax, God will push me through the race. Only God can help me do my best.”

This presence of mind blends into other parts of Judson’s life. “(It affects) managing my social life, handling all my homework, managing my chores at home.” A further note on faith: “It has always been a big part of my life. Ever since I was a young child, I went to the Catholic church. I also serve as an altar boy.”

In his other sport, football, Grubbs doesn’t tiptoe around. He has led both the freshman and JV teams in coach Paul Lawrence’s program at UCHS as a bruising running back who loves contact. He was named team MVP in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.