Columbus North’s Jace Works completes the first lap on his way to victory in the 800 meters at the May 22 North Sectional.
Nicholas Shaw | For the Republic
In both the final leg of the 4×800-meter relay and in the open 800 at last week’s Bloomington North Regional, Columbus North junior Jace Works and Bloomington North junior Caleb Winders started at the same time.
Both times, Works pushed the pace, leading for the first 600 meters, only to see Winders with his explosive finishing kick overtake him and edge him out at the finish line. Both runners ran in the 1-minute, 52-second range in both the 4×800 and 800 and will take the state’s top two regional times in the 800 into Friday’s Boys Track and Field State Finals at North Central High School in Indianapolis.
“If I can get myself out in a good position, I feel like I have a good chance to go for the win, or if Winders does the same thing as (at regional), I’ll go for state runner-up,” Works said.
Jace Works
Works’ time of 1:52.53 in the 800 is a third of a second behind Winders and about a half-second off Reese Kilbarger-Stumpff’s school record.
“Last year, I didn’t make it out (to state) in the 800, so it just makes me really to know that I can come back strong,” Works said. “I feel like our training has been leading up to it. I feel like I’ve gotten into really good shape over the past few weeks, and given the opportunity, I feel like I can beat Winders, also.”
The 4×800 relay was even closer at regional, with defending state champion Bloomington North running 7:47.60 and the Bull Dogs at 7:47.80. Only Center Grove with a 7:45.46 went faster in any of the state’s eight regionals.
“I think our 4×800 has a chance to go for the win,” Works said. “We obviously pushed Bloomington North, which is the team projected to win. We gave them a run for their money.”
Jennings County’s Kraedyn Young runs just ahead of Columbus North’s Graham Pumphrey and Jonny Klaus in the 1,600 meters at the May 22 North Sectional.
Nicholas Shaw | For the Republic
Two other members of Columbus North’s 4×800 team will be competing in individual events. Sophomore Graham Pumphrey is seeded ninth in the 1,600 at 4:15.85.
The top nine in each event score points and earn spots on the medals stand.
“I’ve run 1:57 (in the 4×800) before, and I’ve run 4:15 (in the 1,600), but never in the same meet, so that was a huge confidence-booster,” Pumphrey said. “I’m looking for a medal in both of those. The 4×800 has a good chance to be contending for a title.”
Columbus North’s Neal White and Denton Sluder compete in the 3,200 meters at the May 22 North Sectional.
Nicholas Shaw | For the Republic
Senior Neal White is a veteran of state cross-country meets, but this will be his first state track meet. He is seeded 12th at 9:13.88.
“It definitely feels good,” White said. “This is the first meet I’ve ever raced anything at state, and I get to do two events, so that’s exciting. I’m happy I get to be part of a team because I’ve never been in a serious 4×800 to make it to state, and we’ve had one go every year. I think our 4×800 can do exceptionally well, which I think we might be able to surprise some people if we can get everything churning and going together.”
Columbus North’s Logan Vanzant runs the second leg of the 4×800-meter relay at the May 22 North Sectional.
Nicholas Shaw | For the Republic
Junior Logan Vanzant is the other member of the Bull Dogs’ 4×800 team. Senior Owen Russell is seeded 26th in the 300 hurdles (40.15) and 27th in the 110 hurdles (15.11) after finishing second in the regional in personal-best times in both races.
Meanwhile, Jennings County senior Kraedyn Young also hopes to contend for a state title. He is seeded fourth in the 1,600 after winning the regional in 4:13.62.
Westview’s Noah Bontrager is the top seed at 4:05.04.
“I’m looking to go a little quicker (this) week,” Young said. “I’m excited and looking forward to it. My goal is just to stay on those top guys and take it at the end.”
Field events begin at 3 p.m. Friday, with the 4×800 scheduled to kick off the running events at 4:15 p.m.
