FRANKLIN
Columbus North guaranteed itself a double dose of representation in the long jump at next week’s Boys State Track and Field Finals.
Junior Mitchell Burton winning individual honors at Thursday night’s Franklin Community Regional and senior teammate Alex Agee placing third helped the Bull Dogs tie No. 7 Franklin Central for runner-up status in the team standings with 61 points.
Sixth-ranked Center Grove secured its third regional title in program history with 112 points.
Also faring well in the field events was Rhett Myers of Columbus East, a second-place finisher in both the shot put and discuss.
The Olympians produced a total of 32.5 points for seventh-place overall.
“It was OK tonight. The 4×800 was a little disappointing, Steven (O’Neal) ran well in the 200, Rhett obviously did a great job, breaking the school record in the shot put,” Columbus East coach David Miller said.
“It had its ups and downs. There were some really good things, and there were some disappointing things. I was hoping for a little better night. Our 4×400 time wasn’t where it could be. The 4×100 was OK.”
The other second-place finisher was North junior Triston Perry in the 110-meter high hurdles in a time of 15.15 seconds.
“It’s pretty much euphoric,” Perry said. “Last year was my first year hurdling, and now I’m going to state. I really focused on my race.
“I was kind of an underdog. Came out of nowhere and got it.”
Also qualifying for the State Finals by virtue of third-place performances were Chandler Steward of Columbus North in the 800-meter run, North’s Bryce Ables in the 300 intermediate hurdles and the Bull Dogs’ 400-meter dash consisting of Agee, Burton, sophomore Jaylen Flemmons and soph anchor Cortez Bandy.
This foursome finished in a time of 43.20 seconds.
“It feels great. My first time going, so it’s pretty exciting,” Bandy said. “We knew we were going to finish third. (Second-place) Center Grove’s been giving us a hard time all year. I like running last because I like the pressure.”
Coming close with fourth-place finishes were Burton in the 100-meter dash, East’s O’Neal in the 200 and East’s Aaron Kruchten in the shot put.
