Knight’s Men’s Track Wins Again

Knights’ senior Max Allen continued his domination of the sprint events at track meets this spring. Here Max leads the way down the straightaway in the 400 meters at the Tuscola Open. Max won the race in 51.28 and completed another triple winning night by also taking the 100 meters/11.17 (PR) and the 200/22.51 (PR). Max’s points along with continued domination by the distance runners helped the Knights to the boys’ team title at the meet.

The ALAH Knights Track &Field teams went to the Tuscola Open Friday, April 22. This keynote Central Illinois event met nearly ideal weather conditions of 80° and moderately breezy conditions.

For the second time in 5 days, the men won a major Invitational meet. Just like at Sullivan earlier in the week, the Knights dominated the individual track events, winning all but the hurdle events while finishing 2nd and 8th in those. The locals outscore a very deep and talented Tuscola team 118 to 105 with Salt Fork’s state trophy hopefuls in 3rd with 88.

Max Allen has his most impressive outing of the season while winning the 3 sprints running personal bests in the 100 (11.17) and the 200 (22.51 new school record) and an excellent 400 (51.28).

The Knight’s distance group put on quite show for the large crowd of spectators.

Logan Beckmier runs a season best 10:00.51 while winning a competitive 3200 while Jacob Adcock follows in 4th at 10:35.55.

Jace Green and Jacob Duzan led an extremely tight group of half milers finishing 1st and 2nd in 2:05.24 & 2:06.32PR respectively. In a crazy good 1600, Beckmier went out hard and built a 7-8 meter lead. Green catches and passes him at the ¾ mile mark. Beckmier makes a move in the final curve and the teammates battled side by side, elbow to elbow, down the final 100 meters. In a thrilling finish, Green edges Beckmier with both running PR times of 4:35.51 & 4:35.85. Logan’s time an all time best by 4 seconds. Twelve of the top 13 runners produced personal bests.

The distance quartet of Duzan, Jesus Corona, Lyle Adcock and Green ran to a season best 4 x 800 time of 8:50.32 to finish 2nd with Corona, Duzan, and Adcock driving to PR efforts. This group is positioned to push for a state qualifying slot come Sectional time. Green, L. Adcock, and Duzan teamed with Keaton Korando to finish 3rd in the 4×400 Relay to finish the night and secure the team win over the host Warriors. All four run 55 second laps with clean passes of the stick.

Landon Waldrop continues his improvement in the 110 Hurdles taking 2nd in 16.7 behind Salt Fork’s All Stater Kirby. Ryan Appleby also hurdles to a PR time of 21.08 while Korando PR’s the 300 barriers in 48.64 in 8th.

The other sprint relays contribute with the 4×100 crew of Max Allen, Austin Stutzman, Carter Pratt, and Korando going 46.77 getting much needed points in 4th.

The 4×200 team of Tanner Beckmier, Carter Pratt, Gavin Mechling and Garrett Casteel are traveling in 4th position when Beckmier suffers a hamstring injury and hobbles 20 meters to the exchange zone. They finish 7th in 1:45.52.

Lots of excitement was created by the state ranked throwers from Tuscola and Salt Fork as they produced huge throws in the weight events. Knight Senior Austin Abercrombie scores in both throwing the shot 39’10”(5th) and a best discus fling of 135’1”(7th). Jacob Tighe pitches the shot a PR of 37’1.25” and Tanner Beckmier goes 106’1” in the Discus.

Landon Waldrop hits sand in the TJ bounding 38’.75” (3rd) and long jumps 20’.25” for 4th. Alex Rexroad jumps 15’9.5”(LJ) and 30’7.75”(TJ).

The men travel to St. Joseph, America on Friday, April 29 to compete in the highly competitive Spartan Classic.