With the State Meet just 4 weeks away, it is time to highlight some of the athletes who can challenge for the KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championship. In this week's edition, we will focus on the Class 2A distance runners. Regardless of the current season best, this article highlights returners who will challenge for it all.
1600m/3200m
Riku Sugie and Caden Miracle run the 1600m at the 2022 KHSAA Outdoor State Championships
Topping off this list is the 2023 Kentucky Dream Mile Champion, Riku Sugie. The Sophomore from Thomas Nelson has been a dominant force in Class 2A since his Freshman season finishing runner-up in both the 1600m and 3200m at the KHSAA Class 2A Track and Field State Championship. Sugie then won the 2023 KHSAA Cross Country State Championship and followed that performance with the 1500m and 3000m double at the KTCCCA Class AA/AAA Indoor State Championships this past season. Sugie has been almost unbeatable since his teammate, Lane Hoyes, graduated. Look for Sugie to repeat in both the 1600m and 3200m at this year's State Championships.
However, if Sugie slips up, there are a host of individuals who will be there to challenge him. The first of them is Bell County Senior, Caden Miracle. Miracle has been a Class 2A staple throughout his entire career. Miracle won the 2022 KHSAA Cross Country State Championship and finished 3rd this season. Miracle has been a Top 5 finisher at State in both the 1600m and 3200m since his Sophomore season. Miracle currently has the second fastest 1600m and 3200m time in Class 2A this season. Look for him to push Riku and potentially claim his first Outdoor State Championship.
Finally, the last athlete who will challenge for the 1600m and 3200m at the State Championship is Adam Patel. The Junior from North Oldham finished 2nd at the State Cross Country meet this last season losing only to Sugie. He also finished 3rd in the 3200m at last year's State Meet where he again lost to Sugie. Given the defeats, Patel should be hungry to finally overcome Sugie and claim his first State Championship.
Honorable Mentions
Brendan Nagle, Junior, John Hardin
Daniel Puckett, Senior, Calloway County
Max Young, Senior, Shelby County
Samuel Herbig, Sophomore, Christian Academy-Louisville