Widely considered the next great U.S. long sprinter, St. Thomas Aquinas’ reigning 400-meter state champion Arman Hall moved into select company when he was chosen for the cover of U.S Track and Field News after winning the IAAF World Youth Championships 400-meter title in France this past summer.

If things go as planned, Hall breaking the 400-meter state record (45.44) held by Palm Bay’s Xavier “X-Man” Carter, will be the final bullet point on an already dazzling high school résumé.

“I know X-Man was the baddest man to come out of Florida,” Hall said. “He’s a great runner, but I feel like I’m better. I know that 45.44 is going to be hard to beat, but it’s been held down long enough. Breaking the record wasn’t that much of a big deal last year. This year it definitely is the year it is going to be gone.”

In a breakthrough junior season, Hall posted the nation’s top time in the 400 meters, led the Raiders to their fourth consecutive state crown before enhancing his Olympic future by winning the IAAF World title in a career-best 46.01.

That new time ranked Hall No. 1 worldwide in 2011 for a high school runner and No. 3 all-time by a Florida high schooler — behind who else? Xavier Carter.

Hall, a prized Florida recruit who has personal-bests of 10.64 in the 100 and 20.82 in the 200, also ran a sizzling anchor leg on the U.S. sprint medley relay team that set the world youth record.

“What Arman focuses on is being at the Olympics,” Raiders coach Alex Armenteros said. “Track is his life. He has all the tools — speed, endurance and work ethic. Then he has great technique coming around the curve and long stride that makes him cover more ground. All those things sets him apart.”

Hall also believes he and his 1,600-meter relay teammates Jeremy Tatham, Maurice Dix and Joseph McClary can take down the national record 3:07.40, which has stood since 1985.

“After winning the IAAF World Youth title, I feel like I can face anybody and not be scared of anybody,” Hall said. “It brought my confidence to a high level. When the season is over, I want people saying about me what they said about Xavier Carter. That was a great runner and great to watch. I have that drive to be better and better each time. To be No. 1.”