The Owensboro Middle School boys’ track program strategically clinched its sixth state championship on Saturday, outmaneuvering over 74 other schools from across the state to claim the title. Head coach Anthony Tate and the team planned for the day, knowing they would need to score in every event.
The Red Devils excitingly outperformed Lexington Christian during the last two events, narrowly defeating them 47 to 42.5. North Oldham Middle School won the girls’ division.
“It was a complete team effort with this group,” Tate said. “It feels good. We didn’t get first place in anything, but we kept getting points, and that’s what it takes.”
The squad began practicing in late February, grinding out workouts four and sometimes five days a week. Tate was a part of two other state titles as an assistant under Bob O’Brien before securing four victories at the helm.
“I could tell last year we were tired at state, so we did more tapering this year,” he said. “Jackson (Quattrocchi) is a sixth grader and came up big for us in the 3200, placing fifth. When he scored those points, we knew we had a chance.”
Most consider the 1600M relay the pinnacle of track and field. It’s the day’s last event and typically carries much weight in the team standings. The Red Devils placed second in the event and set a school record, scoring just enough points to secure the victory. Members of the team were Kingston Dillard, Ayden Fountain, Grady Bailes, and Tyler Block.
Other scorers for the Red Devils include Ayden Fountain (3rd-100MH; 3rd-300MH), Kingston Dillard (3rd-100M), the 400M relay team (5th; Bailes, Jamil Waddy, Dillard, Fountain), and Will Cook (4th-Discus).
Owensboro Catholic Middle School placed sixth on the boys’ side, while Daviess County placed 25th, Burns 28th, and College View 59th.
Other boys scorers from the area include:
Owensboro Catholic: Russ Boarman (2nd-100M Dash; 4th-200M Dash), Luke Whitledge (7th-100M Dash), 800M-Relay (3rd), 400M-Relay (1st),
Daviess County; 3200M-relay team (2nd), Lucca Neves (7th-1600M Run)
Burns: Gabriel Jones (100MH-6th; 300MH-5th), 800M Relay (8th), William Guadarrama (3200M Run-8th)
College View: Landon Thompson (3200M Run-6th)
On the girls’ side, Owensboro placed 28th, Daviess County 31st, College View 34th, and Burns 61st.
For a complete list of results, click here.
Girls scorers from the area include:
Owensboro: 800M Relay (8th), 400M Relay (2nd),
Daviess County: Jocelyn Weaver (6th-200M Dash; 4th-LJ)
Burns: Anna Kate Stovall (800M Run-8th)
College View: Anna Kate King (100MH-8th; 300MH-6th), Addy Alvey (1600M Run-8th; 3200M Run-7th),
