Montgomery's Obuba Breaks School Hurdles Record

Montgomery News Athlete of the Month Obinna Obuba

By Sam Bernardi | June 12, 2025

Montgomery High School junior Obinna Obuba had a phenomenal season. He won the Somerset County championship for the 110m hurdles, and broke the MHS school record. He also placed third in the high jump and fifth in the 200m dash. Plus, he is a star on the football team.

MHS Junior Obinna Obuba broke the MHS school record for the 110m hurdles–39, clocking a time of 14.57.

(Photo by Douglas Herring)

Obuba told The Montgomery News that family has meant everything to him, especially when it comes to his track and field success.

Perhaps nobody has been more influential in guiding these efforts than his older sister, Adanna. (Read related story >> Adanna Obuba June 2024 Montgomery News Athlete of the Month.)

Big sister Adana is a former Montgomery standout in her own right, and she now competes for Brown University as a high jumper.

Obinna said, “I loved having her on the [MHS track] team. I was able to really see what track was like in high school — and even in middle school before I got there.”

Along with Adanna’s influence, Obuba credits his parents for their unrelenting support and faith. “My dad definitely encouraged me to get into track. My mom loves it, too,” Obuba said.

The Tiger's Tale sponsors The Montgomery News Athlete of the Month.

While Obuba excels at anchoring relay races and flying over hurdles, it is his dedication to the sport and desire to dominate that have caught MHS Coach Sean Carty’s attention.

After straining both hip flexors last spring, Obuba came into 2025 season with an attack-driven mindset and wanted to stay healthy, Carty said. Now, with the health woes out of the way, he is free to climb the ranks of Montgomery’s track greats.

Obuba said, “I tend to shoot really high. Coming into this season, I wanted to try to break at least one school record.”

Breaking the MHS 110m Hurdles Record

Montgomery High School student Joe Messick had set the MHS school record for the 110m hurdles–39” at 14.61 seconds in 2012. Obuba bested it in May, clocking a time of 14.57 seconds.

Because Obuba is only a junior, it is likely he will best his own record since he has another year of eligibility.

Obuba anchors a relay race.

 (Photo by Douglas Herring)

Coach Carty told The Montgomery News that Obudba has been “working really hard this season and through the offseason. He was always very talented. He does great in the classroom, too. He’s an all-around athlete, so I’m really proud of him and proud of his effort.”

Carty also noted Obuba’s tirelessness not only on the track, but also at the gym. It’s a consistent, methodical approach that rubs off on his teammates, even in an individual-centric sport like track and field.

For Obuba, it’s just another day at the office. “I never really considered it that difficult,” he said. “I do my best in school. I do my best in workouts. I find whenever I’m doing something, I do it to the fullest.”

Obuba also plays football in the fall, and at 6-foot-5 (although he is still growing and does not mind telling college coaches he is 6-foot-6), his natural athleticism combined with his determination make for an enticing future.

It is still early for his recruitment process, but he knows he wants to follow in Adanna’s footsteps and compete in college. Carty knows that Obuba’s holistic value will make him a highly valued student-athlete in college.

Obuba has what it takes to capture that state championship he covets. Coach Carty says, “The potential for Obinna is great. There is no ceiling.”