The indoor track team competed at the Region 5D meet on February 17. Thirteen runners qualified for the Class 5 State Meet in Hampton, Virginia. 

Senior Jaylin Smith, a region silver medalist, and senior Dami Ola qualified to compete in shot put. 

Senior Tucker McGrath, also a region silver medalist, qualified to compete in the 1000 meter run.

“This year the goal was to get to a state race individually, and I did that so that’s just super validating. It feels good; it makes all the work worth it,” McGrath said. 

McGrath and senior Michael Hulleman ran with sophomore Calvin Hulleman and junior David Beck in the boys 4×800 meter relay. They won a gold medal and set a new 4x800m relay regional meet record, qualifying them for states. McGrath has aspirations for the 4×800 team at the state meet.

“It would be nice to PR, and I think it’ll happen just based on the competition. It would also be really awesome to get all-state which is top eight,” McGrath said.

In addition to the 4×800 meter relay, McGrath, Beck, Calvin Hulleman and junior Conor Wells qualified for the state meet in the 4×400 meter relay.

“Regionals went great for me actually. I didn’t know I was running the 4×400, but that was a pleasant surprise. It’s awesome [that I’m going to states because] it’s been a goal of mine, and I’m happy that I’m a part of that team and I get to go. I would like to split 58 or 57 in the 4×400 [at states]. I’m just happy to be there,” Wells said. 

Beck also qualified in the 1600 meter relay and made a new 1600m regional meet record. 

“[Regionals] was overall pretty good. [My] times were kind of there in all my races, but it was mostly about just winning and getting a tune up for states, so overall, it was definitely good mentally and good for my confidence,” Beck said. “It’s good to be back from last year because last year was my first experience [at states]. This year, I’m a little more confident going into it. I know what to expect [as far as] the people I’m going to be racing and how they race. I’m excited to see what I can do [at states]. I definitely want to help try to anchor our 4×800 to at least a top three finisher, but we’re trying to win. In the 1K, I want to be a state champion, that’s my big goal this season.”