By Megan Armstrong
Perry Meridian High School Correspondent
BLOOMINGTON – Ben Davis now has two state championships won during the 2008-09 school year. Three months after capturing the Class 4A girls basketball crown, the Giants sprinted their way to a second state title in boys track & field June 5 at Indiana University in Bloomington.
The top-ranked Giants, who did not lose a meet over the past two boys seasons, dominated in winning two of 13 individual events and two of three relays Friday at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex.
Ben Davis senior Matt Terrell won a pair of tough races on an outstanding individual night. In the 100-meter dash, Terrell beat TroyVier Franklin of South Bend Washington by two-tenths of a second. The two-time defending 200 champ then turned around and defeated Jared Miller of Bremen by three-tenths of a second in accomplishing a 200 three-peat.
Ben Davis also captured the 4x100 meter and 4x400 meter relays and earned two team points with an eighth-place finish in the 4x800. The foursome of Jerobaum Wilson, Colin Hester, Anthony Kimmons, and Terrell, ran a :41.17 in the 400 relay before DeQuan Ruth, Casey Rice, Kimmons, and Robert Rose logged a 3:17.15 in the 1600 relay.
Fishers fans will be sorry to see senior Drew Shields graduate after the defending champion in the 1600 repeated the feat. Shields ran a smart race early by not chasing Oliver Brooks of Providence (ultimately eighth), and his 4:11.36 was more than a second better than Zionsville’s Dylan Sorensen.
Unfortunately, Shields could not do the same in defense of his 800 crown. That event went to senior Joe Holohan of Bloomington South in 1:52.26, with Shields finishing fifth in 1:54.14.
Marion senior Devin Randle made a good final push against New Palestine’s Pat Fenney for the state title in the 400, beating Fenney by 0.23.
One of the most exciting races of the evening was the 3200. Runner-up James Martin of Carroll (Fort Wayne) ran a great race, but the sophomore just couldn’t keep up with the leg speed of North Central (Indianapolis) freshman Futsum Zeinasellassie. Zeinasellassie’s 9:11.97 was nearly three seconds faster than Martin (9:14.81).
Senior Logan Griffith of South Bend Adams nearly pulled off a sweep of the hurdles, winning the 110 in :14.07 and falling by just 0.01 to East Central senior Corey Olive (:37.50).
The 4x800 meter relay was won easily by Carmel as the unit of Dan Kinn, Chris Walden, Dan Porter, and Logan Rosenburg won by well over six seconds in 7:41.79.
Warren Central senior Derrick Spight defended his high jump crown by two inches at 7 feet flat. Senior Corey Shank of Fort Wayne Northrop did him one better in the pole vault, going 16-03 to capture his third straight title by three inches. And senior Duwyce Wilson of Columbus East split the difference by winning the long jump by 2.5 inches with a 22-10.50.
In the throwing events, the shot put went to Fort Wayne North senior Aris Allen and the discus to Mishawaka senior Nicholas Banke. Allen threw a 58-06 to win by half a foot, while Banke threw 179-02 for a dominant victory of more than five feet.
It was a thrilling meet, and a lot of talent and hard work was shown. Congratulations to all the competitors!
