Boys track: Johnson back on track as Bloomington North wins 5th straight sectional

Jaidyn Johnson let loose a little bit after crossing the finish line in the 200 finals.

Forgive the senior from Bloomington North, he's just happy to be there. The school record holder in the 100 and 200 had to shut down for a few weeks after a slight pull of his hamstring in the Conference Indiana meet in late April.

The Louisville signee started to feel like his old self again recently but cruised through the preliminaries of Thursday's North boys track sectional, just be sure the lug nuts were good and tight.

He opened it up a bit more for the finals, turning in two sectional records of 10.57 and 21.66 to break the previous marks (10.85 and 21.72) that were set by former Cougar standout Thomas Brashear in 1996 and help lead North to the team title.

"Sitting on the sideline sucks," Johnson said. "I wanted to run. But I knew I had to trust the process and just be patient because my time will come. I just had to put the work in in the training room to make sure I came back healthy."

That's extremely important because he's one of the state favorites in both races with season bests of 10.34 and 21.15.

"Mentally, I just had to come in with confidence, and being able to believe in myself that I can run without thinking I'll be injured again," Johnson said. "And just praying and trusting God and knowing He'll guide me through it.

"I'm on the right track. I'm more excited now, I've got more confidence going into regionals and I'm looking forward to the state championships."

Bloomington North wins 5th straight

There was plenty else for the Cougars to celebrate while scoring 195 points to slip past South (177). Between them, the two school gobbled up 37 of the 48 automatic regional berths (top three finishes) and won 13 of the 16 events.

North will send 17 individuals and two relays to regional. Yeah, just two, that's the rub. A dropped baton on the last handoff (North sat usual anchor Johnson out of the race) that slipped the Cougars from first to seventh, allowing South (43.17) to win in a season best time and Edgewood to nab second.

"South's good. They definitely have pieces there," Helmer said. "Having Jaidyn back today was big and also nerve-wracking at the same time because I've seen stuff in practice but a meet is another thing. We've tried to be smart with how we approached the prelims and the finals and that was good to see.

"Overall, we did what we needed to do and had some really good performances and I think we'll get a lot people in the call-backs who didn't finish in the top three. The four-by-one, that hurt and it'll hurt next week and at at the state meet as we look at points. And two seniors who are done. It's an unexpected end."

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North was also shut out of sectional titles in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 and 1,600 relay even while posting some terrific times: Caleb Winders had his second best 800 in 1:53.13, Caelan D'Onofrio had a season best 4:16.75 in the 1,600 and Jacob Mitchell ran a a season best 9:13.10. The 800 saw six runners break 1:59.

Beyond that, North did the best it could in pole vault, where Ethan Isles and Will Steiner both went 13-0 to go 1-2. And throws were dominating again as sophomores Adis Hamidovic (161-7) and Lucas Rice (152-2) were 1-2 in discus and Max Wynalda (56-9) and Traeh Young (50-8) were 1-2 in shot put. Evan Cheng had a 21-0 to win long jump and the Cougars won the 3,200 relay (7:58.16) by 26 seconds and just .19 off the meet record.

Stephon Opoku was second in the 100 (11.14), James Bosco was runner-up in the 400 (50.26) and Ben Boland second in the 110s (15.46).

Martinsville was third (73½) Edgewood fourth (48), Eastern Greene fifth (44½) and Owen Valley sixth (31).

Tait gets some revenge

A couple weeks ago, Winders and South's Josh Tait found themselves in a head-to-head, neck-and-neck battle as anchors in the 1,600 with the race and North-South meet team title on the line. Winders won that night by .06.

They found themselves in the same situation again this time, only Tait (the open 400 champ in 49.20) had the final kick this time for the Panther win in 3:22.72 to North's 3:23.05.

"They're really hard," Tait said. "It's always a struggle but we both push each other really well and we both end up with really fast times.

"We both know exactly what's going to happen and it's always down to those last 100 meters, who can push themselves more than the other guy and one of us always wins by .1 seconds. But it's really good competition. It's not too enjoyable immediately after, but an hour later it's fun."

Bloomington South just plain sick

A bug that went through the Panther girls' program a few weeks ago is making its way through the boys' squad.

It kept one of the top shot putters, Guy Drummond, at home for the meet and nearly derailed senior hurdler D'Andre Black. Be he gutted it out enough to sweep the hurdles, well off his best times at 15.22 and 39.97, unable to keep down even water, Williams said. The senior still powered through the 300s, then went home early.

"We've talked about two things all season, No. 1 is make sure you do what you can do so you can take advantage of opportunities," Williams said. "I feel bad for the boy who dropped the baton, but I'm happy you were where you need to be to take advantage.

"The other is, just compete. We get caught up in marks, just compete. And I thought we competed hard tonight. We're sick."

But South is still sending 12 individuals to regional and that includes 3,200 sectional champ Ryan Rheam (9:10.95), who held off Mitchell (9:13.10).

The Panthers' other two hurdlers made it out: Aazam Zaidi in the 110s and Noah Liell-Beyene in the 300s as did sophomore Khaliq Akou in the 100 (11.20) and 200 (22.42) and Gabe Taylor in the 200. Joe Zinkan had a 9:25.76 for third in the 3,200; Andrew Elsesser made it over 6-2 to take second in the high jump; Ivan Lynch was third in discus (150-0); Alex Shaevitz second in long jump (20-11½) and freshman Arthur Banks was third in pole vault.

Eastern's Lewis breaking records

Eastern Greene's James Lewis set the goal of breaking the school records in the 100, 200, 400 and 1,600 relay this season. He's now three-quarters of the way there after speeding to a 50.26 for third in the 400 by .001 of a second, to snap the old mark of 50.6.

Lewis, headed to Manchester for football and track, anchored the 1,600 relay to fourth in 3:31.26, just short of the final record (3:30) he was after, but a call-up seems likely to give them another shot.

"I feel like a lot of hard work that I've put in after practice has paid off," Lewis said. "Coach (Bill) Valentine, he also put in a great conditioning program for us before the season and got us all prepared and I feel like we're doing pretty good right now, we're just only going to get better as we go against better competition.

"I've also really put what I know from the 100 and 200 and use that with a little bit of extra stamina and push all the way through."

Edgewood takes relay route

The Mustangs got just one individual out as Luke Waugh picked up a third place in the long jump at a near season best 20-4.

But Edgewood will have plenty of bodies coming back for regional, taking third in all three relays in season best times, going 44.83 in the 400, 3:30.37 in the 1,600 and 8:39.61 in the 3,200. Milan Hancock and Landon Clement ran for the 400 and 1,600 teams and Landon Beauchamp the 1,600 and 3,200 squads.

They'll also be hoping Jackson Klinger (9:33) and Zane Meyer (9:42) will get called back in the 3,200 after their 4-5 finishes as well as Chris Davis, who was fourth in shot put.

Barco toooooo tough

Barco, the defending state champ in the 1,600 and top-three finisher in the 800 showed why he'll likely be on those medal stands again.

The senior twice proved way too tough in the final quarter of each race, going sub 58 on the last lap of the 1,600 to win in 4:15.37. In the 800, he let Winders led the way until passing him on the final curve and pulling away for a 1:52.05 that broke his sectional record from the year before (1:53.81). The Arties also celebrated as Rayce Wolff snuck up and passed North's Dominic D'Onofrio for third in the 800 in 1:56.20.

It came just two days after his younger sister was involved in a serious car wreck on her way to ride the bus to Tuesday's girls' track sectional, where she was the top seed in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Hall moves on for Owen Valley

OV sophomore Noah Hall took the high jump title on fewer misses after he and South's Andrew Elsesser both made it over 6-2. Neither could top 6-4.

The Patriots are also hoping hurdler Eli Anderson makes it back after he took fourth in the 300s (42.98) and fifth in the 110s. He also anchored the 400 relay to fourth in 46.00. Maddox Reuter was sixth in the quick 1,600 in 4:47.19.

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BLOOMINGTON NORTH BOYS TRACK SECTIONAL RESULTS

Team scores: 1. Bloomington North 195; 2. Bloomington South 177; 3. Martinsville 73½; 4. Edgewood 48; 5, Eastern Greene 44½; 6. Owen Valley 31; 7. White River Valley 20; 8. Brown County 15; 9. Bloomfield 11; 10. Linton 7; 11. Shakamak 2; 12. Lighthouse Christian NS.

Top 3 in each event automatically advance (state standard in parenthesis)

100 (10.99): 1. Jaidyn Johnson, BN, 10.57 (sectional record; old record, 10.85, Thomas Brashear, BN, 1996); 2. Stephon Opoku, BN, 11.14; 3. Khaliq Akou, BS, 11.20; 4. Elija Peters, M, 11.36; 5. Gabe Taylor, BS, 11.43; 6. Noah Moore, WRV, 11.67; 7. Luke Gamble, M, 11.68.

200 (22.19): 1. Johnson, BN, 21.66 (sectional record; old record, 21.72, Thomas Brashear, BN, 1996); 2. Akou, BS, 22.42; 3. Taylor, BS, 22.54; 4. Peters, M, 22.78; 5. James Lewis, EG, 23.28; 6. Caleb Wiggins, M, 24.02; 7. Montae Burnett, BN, 24.29.

400 (49.16): 1. Josh Tait, BS, 49.20; 2. James Bosco, BN, 50.26; 3. Lewis, EG, 50.26 (school record; old record, 50.6); 4. John Sobiech, BS, 50.63; 5. Jade Dawes, EG, 51.63; 6. Kellen Bishop, BN, 51.68; 7. Josh Hinson, Edg, 52.15.

800 (1:54.87): 1. Martin Barco, M, 1:52.05 (sectional record; old record, 1:53.81, Barco, 2023); 2. Caleb Winders, BN, 1:53.13; 3. Rayce Wolff, M, 1:56.20; 4. Dominic D'Onofrio, BN, 1:56.47; 5. Jake Antibus, WRV, 1:58.06 (school record); 6. Teagan Bullock, BS, 1:58.20; 7. David Jackson, BS, 2:07.73; 8. Carson Sigman, Edg, 2:11.83.

1,600 (4:17.64): 1. Barco, M, 4:15.37; 2. Caelan D'Onofrio, BN, 4:16.75; 3. Jack Holden, BN, 4:32.88; 4. Suoming Zhang, BS, 4:36.81; 5. Hunter Tabor, BS, 4:37.13; 6. Maddox Reuter, OV, 4:47.19.

3,200 (9:13.17): 1. Ryan Rheam, BS, 9:10.95; 2. Jacob Mitchell, BN, 9:13.10; 3. Joe Zinkan, BS, 9:25.76; 4. Jackson Klinger, Edg, 9:33.28; 5. Zane Meyer, Edg, 9:42.39; 6. Aden Pierce, BN, 10:10.43; 7. Landon Willis, M, 10:24.06.

110 hurdles (14.84): 1. D'Andre Black, BS, 15.22; 2. Ben Boland, BN, 15.46; 3. Aazam Zaidi, BS, 15.98; 4. Alan Hays, BN, 16.00; 5. Eli Anderson, OV, 16.58; 6. Brayten Enlow, EG, 17.37; 8 Anthony Rush, M, 18.64.

300 hurdles (39.46): 1. Black, BS, 39.97; 2. Noah Liell-Beyene, BS, 41.42; 3. Hays, BN, 41.86; 4. Anderson, OV, 42.98; 5. Roman Valentine, EG, 43.20; 6. Zhane Capshaw, M, 44.43; 7. Enlow, EG, 45.86; 8. Gavin Thacker, M, 47.25.

High jump (6-4): 1. Noah Hall, OV, 6-2; 2. Andrew Elsesser, BS, 6-2; 3. Amare Draughn, BN, 6-0; 4. Alex Shaevitz, BS, 5-10; 5. Capshaw, M, 5-10; 6. Carl Norris, Edg, 5-8; 7. Brayson Johnson, BN, 5-8.

Long jump (22-0½): 1. Evan Cheng, BN, 21-0; 2. Shaevitz, BS, 20-11½; 3. Luke Waugh, Edg, 20-4; 4. Elijah Bennett, BN, 20-3½; 5. Nehemiah Strunk, Edg, 19-10¼; 6. Carter Cutshall, BS, 19-8½; 7. Hall, OV, 19-5½.

Shot put (56-2¾): 1. Max Wynalda, BN, 56-9; 2. Traeh Young, BN, 50-8; 3. Nolan Hughes, Blmf, 50-4½; 4. Chris Davis, Edg, 49-7¼; 5. Ethan Barnes, BS, 48-10; 6. Ivan Lynch, BS, 48-3¼.

Discus (163-0): 1. Adis Hamidovic, BN, 161-7; 2. Lucas Rice, BN, 152-2; 3. Lynch, BS, 150-3; 4. Hughes, Blmf, 147-4; 5. John Powers, WRV, 141-6; 6. Peyton New, EG, 136-8; 7. Nathan Long, M, 133-4.

Pole vault (14-6): 1. Ethan Isles, BN, 13-0; 2. Will Steiner, BN, 13-0; 3. Arthur Banks, BS, 11-6; T4. Valentine, EG, 11-0; Ben Gaunt, M, 11-0; 6. Adrian Ross, BS, 10-6.

400 relay (42.45): 1. Bloomington South (Taylor, Irouje, S.Barnes, Akou), 43.17; 2. Martinsville (Peters, Jimenez, Reeves, Gamble), 43.85; 3. Edgewood (Hancock, Clement, Caswell, Strunk), 44.83; 4. Owen Valley (Wise, Salyters, Wheeler, Anderson), 46.00; 5. Eastern Greene (Stephens, JOnes, Ault, Wiulbrandt), 47.24; 7. Bloomington North (Cheng, Opoku, Hayes, Powell), 47.34.

1,600 relay (3:22.61): 1. Bloomington South (Sobiech, Bullock, A.Rheam, Tait), 3:22.72; 2. Bloomington North (Bosco, R.Pierce, C.D'Onofrio, Winders), 3:23.05; 3 .Edgewood (Beauchamp, Clement, Hancock, Hinson), 3:30.37; 4. Eastern Greene (West, Dawes, Valentine, Lewis), 3:31.26; 5. Martinsville (Gamble, R.Wolff, C.Wolff, Barco), 3:34.90; 6. White River Valley, 3:41.21; 8. Owen Valley (Wise, Salyers, Wheeler, Anderson), 3:49.73.

3,200 relay (7:57.93): 1. Bloomington North (D.D'Onofrio, Gentry, R.Pierce, Winders), 7:58.16; 2. Bloomington South (Tabor, Zhang, Jackson, Rice), 8:24.90; 3. Edgewood (Beauchamp, Sigman, Enghauser, Kohne), 8:39.61; 4. Eastern Greene (West, Ault, Stephens, Dawes), 8:46.76; 5. Brown County, 8:49.57; 6. Martinsville (Bray, Beesley, Miller, Tucker), 9:07.36; 8. Owen Valley (Sorenson, Roddy, Reuter, Weddle), 10:37.27.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Johnson's return powers North to 5th straight boys track sectional