The action was fierce all the way to the final event at the Midwest Prep Invitational
Boys intensity led by several components-
The Hoosier state has always had a rich history of track and field. This is a fact. All you have to do is look at the dominance of one Gary Roosevelt in the 1970s through the 1980s. Roosevelt at one point one nine straight titles. Today's track and field individuals continue to emerge and it's meets like this that can propel a kid or individual to take off. One such kid is senior Samuel Voelz of New Palestine was an absolute nobody prior to this weekend. Friday night at the Franklin Central Flashes Showcase, he assisted his team in a big way on the 4x800 relay anchor. Voelz ran a lightening 1:54.xx and vaulted his team to an IN #1 7:52.55. The time broke the school record by over 10 seconds! Voelz returned on Saturday to run the 400 and 4x4. He busted out in his first race off the final turn with a strong finish into the teeth of the wind. The determination got Voelz a personal best win in 48.93. He admitted to not getting any fanfare entering his senior season. He is indeed running for a scholarship. Bloom Twp had pulled away from the field in the 4x400 relay to win in 3:26.00. Coaches always preach never stop until you step a few meters past the finish line. Proviso West anchor Derrick Crosby committed a cardinal sin by literally walking before crossing the finish and Voelz sped past him for second. It is that type of effort that will make Voelz a must have athlete at the next level.
Nate Patterson (Jr., Plymouth IN) is a confident young man when it comes to the high jump. He had completed the indoor season as the US #1 jumper at 7'1". He had jumped 6'10" recently in cooler climes but was looking forward to a warmer environment and better competition. Patterson essentially beat the field when he enters at 6'8." Frank Massey of Bloom Twp. finished second at that height. Patterson got the crowd hyped when he brought the meet record at 7-1 and then later a personal best 7-2 and now US #2.
Other key performances:
- Mitchell Burton (Sr., Columbus North IN) snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat from Massey when his final attempt sailed 22-11.5. Massey finished at 22-7.75.
- It took three laps before Culver Military Academy took over the lead for good from Chicago Payton Prep who busted out to a big early lead. Culver ran an IN #4 8:04.32.
- Caleb Eagleson (Sr., New Palestione) joined his teammate Samuel Voelz in the win column with an easy victory in the 1600. Eagleson cross the first half in 2:10 before cruising to victory in 4:25.04.
- Wind conditions prevented any team from breaking 43.00 in the 4x1. Columbus North had the best anchor and won in 43.18
- Antonio Davis (Sr., Bloom Twp.) did not win the 400 but he came back in the 800 on the strength of a solid last 200 to beat Zach Dunlap (Sr., Culver) 1:59.67-1:59.76.