With the wind picking up and temperatures plummeting throughout the day, you could say it took Blake Ketron, of Daniel Boone High School, a little more time to get going than normal.
Negative Splitting (second part of the race faster than the first part) in both the 1600 and 800, Ketron came from behind down the homestretch in both events to capture victories at the Frank Carver Invitational in Bristol, Tennessee on Saturday.
Ketron's times were not all that spectacular (4:35.5 and 2:03.30) given the weather conditions; however, the runners he defeated, Zach Moss of Jefferson County and Michael Danehy of Morristown West, are the top returning runners in their respective events from last year in Northeast Tennessee. Moss having run 4:18.07 and Danehy 1:57.99.
In fact, a case could be made, at this point of the season, that Ketron may be the best distance runner in Northeast Tennessee, having beaten the likes of Josh Jaynes, Josh Vasquez and now Moss and Danehy.
Ketron continues to double in meets and continues to impress against good competition.
In the 1600, after the break around the first curve, Ketron reluctantly took the lead with Moss following. Splits were 32, 68, 2:20, and 3:32.
"I really didn't want to fight the wind for four laps," said Ketron. "It was rough."
Moss made his move into the first turn of the last lap, passing Ketron and striding out down the backstretch.
"I knew Zach Moss was coming," said Ketron. "He had been on me all race. I figured I would let him have the curve right there."
With a 200 to go, Moss appeared to hit another gear and gapped Ketron and had about a 5 yard lead into the turn. At that point, it looked like the race was over but then Ketron started to fight back.
"I knew it was now or never," said Ketron. "I said a little prayer to myself. I was like God help me through the rest of the race and he got me through it."
If you have never been to Tennessee High before, I believe they have the longest homestretch in the region. The finish line is all the way at the end of the track, into the curve, combine that with a strong head wind and the venue provided a great finish.
"It was the longest 100 meters I ever ran," said Ketron.
Ketron and Moss battled shoulder to shoulder all the way down the homestretch with Ketron pulling away the final 10 yards for the 7 tenths of a second victory.
It was a great race.
It certainly won't be the last time Ketron and Moss race one another. They both plan on attending the same college.
"I'm definitely going to UT Chattanooga," said Ketron. "Zach Moss is also going there, so we should have a great fours years ahead of us."
As for Ketron's goals this season.
"Hopefully I can get under 4:20 and 1:55," said Ketron.
Highlights from this weekend:
• Dobyns-Bennett sophomore Josh Vasquez won the 3200 leading most of the way in a time of 10:12.46 for a personal best. "I've just started running the 2-mile," said Vasquez. "I'd like to get it down to ten and see where I go from there."
• Dobyns-Bennett freshman Corey O'Neill continues to improve. He split a 2:06 for the lead off leg of the 4X800 relay. Splits were 61, 65.
• Hannah Bowers of Science Hill posted a state leading 58.5 in the 400 in Bristol this past weekend. She also tied in a photo finish with her twin sister Emma to win the 100 meter dash in 12.94.
• Science Hill's freshman Allie Scalf continues to impress winning the 3200 in 12:07.6 and 1600 in 5:35.30.
• Elizabethton's Josh Jaynes ran a 1:59.00(FAT) to place second at the High School Invitational at Appalachian State University this past Saturday. His 800 time is the best in Northeast Tennessee this year.
• One interesting note. My sister's daughter, Katie Danehy, who attends St. Marys in Memphis and is a 7th grader, ran a 2:30 800 in her first ever attempt at that distance. Katie will be eligible run in high school next year.
The next track meet will take place today in Johnson City at the Liberty Bell Complex. The meet is named the Tommy Jenkins Invitational, with field events scheduled to begin at 4pm.