INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since 2004, Columbus North has a boys track state champion.
Tucker Smith won the shot put at Friday’s Boys Track State Finals at Ben Davis High School. His throw of 67 feet, 11 1/4 inches broke the state meet record that had stood since 1997.
“I was aiming for 70,” Smith said. “I started off good. I just wasn’t able to build on it the way I wanted to. My technique was just off.”
Smith broke the old state meet record of 66-8 1/2 on his first throw. The Bull Dog junior was in the 67s on each of his first five attempts before fouling on his final throw.
Smith’s 67-11 1/4 toss came on his second throw.
“It was a fantastic performance by Tucker all around,” North throwing coach Jordan Sharp said. “It was a great series. I know he was chasing 70 feet, but to consistently be at 67 and break the state meet record six times over was pretty impressive.”
Smith won by almost seven feet. Bram Arnett of Morgan Township finished second with a throw of 60-11 1/2.
Earlier in the day, Smith had finished 12th in the discus with a throw of 155-1.
“He’s incredible,” North head coach Rick Sluder said. “I think what’s fun, too, is that he brings everybody along with him. He’s just fun to watch throw and to be on our team. I couldn’t be more proud of him and coach Sharp for what they’ve done this year.”
Smith is the first state boys track champion from North since Christian Wagner won the 1,600 and 3,200 meters in both 2003 and 2004.
While Smith broke the state meet record on Friday, his throw was a little short of his all-time state record of 69-8 1/2 that he set earlier this season.
“The season was pretty good,” Smith said. “I was just five inches short of 70. But I have next year.”
