The State Track Meet was an incredibly exciting and fun weekend. We brought 13 athletes to Eugene, covering 17 events. The kids worked incredibly hard and represented Barlow both as tremendous athletes, and citizens.
Our ladies,after sending no one to State last year, sent 3 and all did a wonderful job, gaining valuable experience as they aim to lead an even larger contingent in the 2010 season. Junior Darragh Martin placed 13th in running a very strong 49.52 in the 300m hurdles, and was competitive the entire race. Sophomore Dannah Martin, battling a groin strain, unfortunately no-heighted in the Pole Vault, while gaining tremendous experience and developing a stonger drive to return next year in multiple events and leaving her mark in 2010. Freshman Alicia Whipple ended her fantastic season by placing 12th in the Long Jump (16-04) and 4th in the High Jump (5-04). Alicia was awarded Honorable Mention All-State.
Our men had a meet that will not soon be forgotten. In what was thought to be a rebuilding year after one of the most dominant state teams in 2008, the Bruin men entered state with a goal of fighting to earn a trophy. But the drive and competitiveness of these guys was something that made us all proud to be Bruins. Cody Vaughn and Jeff Krieger placed 10th and 11th respectively in the Pole Vault by going 13-00. Zach Young hit some hurdles en route to a 16th place finish in the 110m hurdles at 16.19. Jeff Krieger ran one of the gutsiest 800m races, barely missing finals by getting boxed in down the home stretch...running 2:01.57 and getting 10th. Nathanael Franks made a strong effort in the 400m, running 52.79 in the finals for 8th place, earning Honorable Mention All-State. Malcolm Johnson, in his first year as a jumper, qualified for finals and placed 6th in the Triple Jump, also earning Honorable Mention All-State. Sophomore Arthur Delaney had a meet that he will never forget. Not only did he earn 7th place in the 200m by running 22.36, but he ran down an incredibly talented field in the 100m to win with a tremendous time of 10.75 (.08 off the school record)...and the smile on his face as he finished is something we will never forget. He also anchored our two relay teams. Sophomore Ryan Crouser continued his dominance in the throws, adding Javelin to his bag of tricks this year. His weekend started with the Shot Put where he put on a show in setting the state meet record with a launch of 66-01.25 and winning his 2nd straight title. He followed that afternoon with the discus, spinning it 183-02 en route to anoth state title (his 4th in his career). Saturday brought us the javelin, where Ryan's cousin stole the show with a state record, and nearly missing the national mark. Ryan, though, threw a great series, peaking at 200-08 and earning 2nd place. Ryan was awarded the co-Athlete of the Meet award by scoring 28points.
Our 4x100m relay (Zach Young-Malcolm Johnson-Michael Plummer-Arthur Delaney), after delivering to us all a small heart attack in the prelims, ran a flawless final, placing 2nd with the 2nd fastest time in school history (42.41). The 4x400m relay is a race that no Bruin fan on site will forget. Malcolm Johnson ran great leadoff leg (50.3), as there was no clear leader in the race. Jeff Krieger came through with a 51.9 split, handing the baton off in a jumbled mess of 6 teams. Nathanael Franks showed his incredible heart, drive, and strength as he made a pass on the back stretch, leading our team form 6th place to first while making everyone else look like they were running in sand...and turning it into a 2-team race between us and Putnam in running a 50.0. As Nathanael handed the baton to Arthur, we knew we were watching something special. Arthur took the stick and was not going to relinquish the lead. Putnam's athlete made some great surges to keep it close, but Arthur's speed was too much as he pulled away down the home stretch, running a blazing 49.3 as we won the 4x400m title.
As team, our gentlemen soared far above any and all expectations. The put up 62 points and did everything they could to win the meet, but fell just short as Sheldon stayed just ahead of us with their own amazing meet in scoring 67 points. Our 62 points is the most points ever scored by a 2nd place team in state history...something we are all VERY proud of. It was a great end to a great season, and a wonderful jumping point to the many years to follow.