As the calendar flips from 2022 to 2023, we are highlighting some of the top moments of the year. We have five male and five female moments, plus one with both! These are in no particular order, but we will ensure that the articles will alternate between the male and female moments. We have also included a poll in each of the articles for you to vote for your favorite moment from 2022! Voting will close on January 3 at 5:00 PM.
Watching two teammates work together to achieve a goal is something that will never get old. We got to see this first hand TWICE in one state championship with the Thomas Nelson duo of Lane Hoyes and Riku Sugie. Not only did they place first and second in the 1600m with a 0.34 second differential, but they followed that up with BOTH breaking the previous Class 2A State Meet record in the 3200m. Hoyes bested Sugie in the 3200m (9:23.73 to 9:25.35) however, following the races, Hoyes was right there to congratulate his teammate. Hoyes, the senior, and Sugie, the freshman, knew they had something special if they came out and did their job on the track.
Watch Both Races Here
Some more icing on this cake was the 4th place team finish that the Generals achieved with 40 points (18 in the 1600m, 18 in the 3200m, and 4 in the 4x800m...which they both ran as well). These two exemplified class on the track and were awarded for their hard work.
Now that Lane is running at Appalachian State, Riku is carrying on the tradition. Sugie was the Class 2A state champion for cross country in 2022 and is poised to tear up the track in the spring.
