With the State Meet just 5 weeks away, it is time to highlight some of the athletes who can challenge for the KHSAA Class 1A Track and Field State Championship. In this week's edition, we will focus on the Class 1A distance runners. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
The beauty of the distance events and Class 1A is that the depth is relatively small, therefore, these four individuals are who we are highlighting to contend to win the 1600m and 3200m at the State Meet this season.
1600m and 3200m
Roman Sierpina and Isaac Riggs run the 3200m at the 2022 KHSAA Track and Field State Championships
The athlete topping our list has been the class of Class 1A this season. Louisville Collegiate Sophomore Roman Sierpina has been on a tear since last outdoor season where he finished runner-up in both the 1600m and 3200m at the 2022 KHSAA Class 1A Track and Field State Championship. However, this season, Roman claimed his first State Championship winning both the 1500m and 3000m at the KTCCCA Class 1A Indoor State Championships this past season. He is without a doubt the favorite to win both events at the State Championships this season.Second on this list is Sierpina's teammate, James Gurley. Gurley, a Freshman from Louisville Collegiate, burst onto the scene during the Cross Country season where he finished 3rd at the KHSAA Cross Country State Championship. Gurley currently has the second fastest time in Class 1A this season in both the 1600m and 3200m runs. The dynamic duo over at Collegiate is threatening to have a Holy Cross type hold on the Class 1A distance events over the next few years. Like Sierpina, Gurley is very young and will be a major contender at the State Meet for years to come.
However, there are a couple athletes who will have a say in the matter. One such athlete is Bethlehem Sophomore, Isaac Riggs. Riggs had a relatively disappointing Cross Country season for his standards finishing outside the Top 5 at the State meet. However, he has been on an absolute tear this outdoor season posting top 4 times in both the 1600m and 3200m events in Class 1A this season. Riggs is running with more confidence than he ever has in his career and will play a major factor in these events at the State Championship this season.
One more athlete who could prevent the Louisville Collegiate duo from sweeping the distance events is University Heights Sophomore Cole Glover. Perhaps the biggest surprise in Class 1A this season, Glover has been improving dramatically as he has lowered his 1600m PR by 14 seconds this season and 3200m PR by 30 seconds since last season. Glover has also run 2:03 in the 800m this season showcasing fantastic strength. Like the three athletes above him, Glover is young and will be a major player in the Class 1A distance events over the next few seasons.
Honorable Mentions
Dixon Ryan, Senior, St. Henry District
Carson Milner, Senior, Walton Verona
Nathan Ruth, Junior, Bishop Brossart
Ryan Shaps, Sophomore, Kentucky Country Day