As the outdoor track & field season approaches, we want to highlight the top returning 7th grade boys for this year. Let's break down the event categories and who are the names to watch based on marks from last season.
Sprinters
The short sprints are headlined by a pair of familiar names who dominated multiple events.
Easton Havens (Rowan County Middle) set the tone in the 100m with a 12.10, the top mark among this group. Right behind him is Cade Guthrie (Eastern Kentucky Striders) at 12.35. JahJah Meaux (Bate Middle School) also made his mark at 12.37.
Guthrie flips the script in the 200m, leading all returners at 25.40. Havens (25.59) and Royal Ragland (Morton Middle School) (26.10) round out a tight top three.
In the 400m, Guthrie again stands atop the leaderboard with a 57.46, showing his range from short to long sprints. He'll be challenged by Javari Hamilton (Jessie Clark Middle School) (57.56) and Cavin Hayden (Owensboro Middle School) (57.94), both within striking distance.
Distance Runners
The 800m features a tight pack led by Tyger Schlarb (Echo Trail Middle School) at 2:27.12. Chase Glass (Beaumont Middle School) (2:28.12) and Landon Ray (Rockcastle County Middle School) (2:29.06) are right there, setting up what could be one of the most competitive events this season.
The 1600m is headlined by Matthew Rodriguez (St. Patrick School), whose 5:03.13 stands as the top returning mark. Close behind is Asa Ewing (Noe Middle School) at 5:05.25, followed by Johnny Gesenhues (Highlands Middle School) at 5:17.35.
Ewing separates himself in the 3200m, leading all returners with a strong 10:46.77. He'll be pushed by a talented North Oldham duo of Caleb Cameron (11:21.86) and Braxtin Korfhage (11:34.24) who carry the torch of the traditionally strong North Oldham distance program.
Hurdles
Judd Bunch (Corbin Middle School) leads the 100m hurdles at 16.80, just ahead of Cooper Robinson (South Laurel Middle School) at 16.98. Colten Lencki (Calloway County Middle School) (17.62) is in the mix as well as showing up across multiple field events (that preview is below).
In the 300m hurdles, Robinson flips the standings with a top mark of 48.75. He's followed by Lennox Jackson (Southern Middle School) (49.54) and Bunch (49.76), setting up a great rivalry between Robinson and Bunch across both hurdle events.
Field Events
Calvin Tucker (Bracken County Middle School) stands out as one of the most complete athletes, leading the shot put (38-0.50) and long jump (17-6.50). In the shot put, Tucker is followed by Parker Underwood (Beaumont Middle School) (34-6.00) and David Compton Jr. (Pikeville) (34-0.00), who also excels in the discus.
The discus is led by Davis Swope (Daviess County Middle School) at 107-8, with Compton (102-5.25) in second.
In the horizontal jumps, Tucker again leads the long jump, while Chase Knuckles (W.E.B. DuBois Academy) (16-9.50) and Anderson Amstutz (Walton Verona Middle) (16-5.00) provide strong competition.
The triple jump is topped by Brady Muncie (Farristown Middle School) (34-9.50), with Knuckles doubling back for second (34-1.50) and Parish Reed (Notre Dame Academy MS - Louisville) (33-9.00) close behind.
In the high jump, Colten Lencki continues to shine, leading at 5-2. He's followed by Ashton Kidd (Daviess County Middle School) (5-1) and Calvin Roberson (Noe Middle School) (4-10).
The pole vault is led by Sammy Weese (Woodford County Middle School) at 8-0, with Lencki again showing versatility at 7-6 and Spencer Boggs (Campbell County Middle School) at 7-0.
In the turbo javelin, Parker Kuehne (Caudill Middle School) leads the way with a throw of 111-0. He's followed by Keaton Weigle (Beaumont Middle School) (98-6) and Connor Belvin (Madison Middle School) (85-2).