Columbus North’s Owen Russel (center) edges past South Dearborn’s Zachary Cassini, left, and Lawrenceburg’s Ryan Hinthorne, right, in the 110-meter hurdles at the IHSAA Boys Sectional Track Meet on May 22, 2025, at Columbus North High School in Columbus, IN.
Nicholas Shaw | For the Republic
Columbus North had a huge night, Jennings County got a distance double from Kraedyn Young, Columbus East went 1-2 in the high jump and Hauser and South Decatur each delivered event wins for the Mid-Hoosier Conference.
Those were the storylines from Thursday night’s North boys track sectional, which was contested under gray skies and some unseasonably cool conditions.
The host Bull Dogs racked up 163.5 points to capture their first sectional title since 2018. Jennings County slipped past East 94 to 89.5 for second.
“We were seeded to come in with about 150 or 155 points, and we’re over 160, so we definitely outperformed,” North coach Rick Sluder said. “I just couldn’t be prouder of the whole team. We had a fantastic night. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys, and our coaching staff had them ready to go when it counted.”
Senior Owen Russell was a double-winner for the Bull Dogs, taking the 110-meter hurdles in 15.16 seconds and the 300 hurdles in 41.22. He also ran a leg on the 4×400 relay team that win in 3:30.65.
“It was a great night,” Russell said. “I’m glad to get this win with my brothers. I’m so happy.”
North also got a surprise win in the discus from Gary Streeval (143 feet, 11 inches) and an expected victory in the 800 from Jace Works (1:57.67). the Bull Dogs swept the three relays with Draven Martinez, Logan Vanzant, Graham Pumphrey and Works won the 4×800 (8:15.43); Trent Turner, Josiah Davis, Gerald Peraltasandoval and Matt Burge in the 4×100 (44.48) and Ben Stevens, Pumphrey, Russell and Works in the 4×400 (3:30.65).
Burge finished second in the 100 (11.36) and third in the 200 (23.48). Pumphrey (4:27.30), and Jonny Klaus (4:31.87) went 2-3 in the 1,600, and Neal White (9:22.23) and Denton Sluder (9:23.03) went 2-3 in the 3,200. Tucker Tower took second in the long jump (20-5 1/2).
Other third-place finishers for the Bull Dogs were Flint Santi DeLuna in the discus (140-0) and Evan Bense in the 800 (2:03.05). Ethan Lovell tied for third in the pole vault (9-0),
The top three in each event automatically qualified for the May 29 Bloomington North Regional. Beyond that, the next-best four performances in each event from among the four feeder sectionals earn call-backs. Among the Columbus North athleties likely to earn call-backs are Sam Brown, who finished fourth in the 110 hurdles (16.70) and fifth in the 300 hurdles (44.80) and Ben Stevens, who was fourth in the 400 (52.86).
“Owen Russell was lights out tonight,” Rick Sluder said. “Our guys had just phenomenal performances in every area — long jump, pole vault, high jump, 4×100, 4×400, 4×800. We won all three relays, and that’s pretty special.”
Meanwhile, Jennings senior Kraedyn Young ran to victory in the 1,600 (4:22.80) and 3,200 (9:17.87).
“After my cross-country season ended kind of slow, this winter, I put more miles in just to get stronger at running,” Young said. “I felt solid. I got pushed in the 3,200, but got the win, and that was the goal.”
The Panthers’ Logan Lawson (12-0) and David Dixon (11-6) went 1-2 in the pole vault. Dawson Leak finished second in the 400 (51.06), and Zach Wahlman took second in the 800 (2:01.22). Jackson Earl placed third in the high jump (5-10), and Jennings was third in both the 4×800 (9:03.36) and 4×400 (3:36.17) relays.
East’s night was highlighted by a 1-2 finish in the high jump from Keaton Lawson and Ryder Meek, both of which went 6-0. Jared Brooks took second in the discus (140-2) and fourth in the shot put (45-3 1/2).
The Olympians finished second in the 4×400 relay (3:35.97) and third in the 4×100 relay (44.48). Lawson took third in the long jump (19-11), Austin Menefee was third in the 400 (51.10) and Henry Eickmeyer placed third in the 300 hurdles (43.28). Ezekiel Weatherford tied for third in the pole vault (9-0).
“They put in the work, and it’s showing right now,” East coach Jerone Wood said. “As long as they show up and compete, that’s all we’ve preached all season, to show up and compete and have fun doing. When you have fun, good results come with it.”
Hauser senior Luke Bruner won the shot with a throw of 47-1 to lead the Jets to a seventh-place finish in the team standings. He also finished fourth in the discus (138-2).
“I think it’s great,” Bruner said. “Hauser hasn’t had a sectional champion in a long time, so I’m just glad I was able to actually do my part. But I’m really excited that we have two MHC throwers going to regional. I know I have a lot more in the tank, and I want to go to regional and represent the area well.”
Hauser’s Nolan Dailey earned call-backs with a fourth-place finish in the 1,600 (4:37.64) and a fifth in the 3,200 (10:19.40).
Lucas Ballard won the 100 (11.14) and 200 (23.13) to lead South Decatur to an eighth-place team finish. The Cougars also finished second in the 4×100 relay (45.26).
“It was a really good night for us, with Lucas Ballard winning the 200, and we got second in the 4×100, which Lucas Ballard had a huge part in that, also, ” South Decatur coach Dan Wenning said.
