4x800 Wins State, Utterback Runner-Up!

The boys track team had a great state weekend.  The meet kicked off on Thursday with the prelims.  The 4x800 started the action by posting a prelim-best time of 8:06.27, with Mitch Johnson, Daniel Plunkett, David Plunkett, and Tyler Johnson splitting 1:59, 1:59, 2:04, and 2:02.  Later, Mitch Johnson qualified for the final of the 800 meter run, running 1:59.67.  Senior Matt Utterback joined Johnson and the 4x800 by qualifying for the finals with a high jump of 6'3", and senior Daniel Plunkett set a new school record in the 1600 meter run in 4:25.89, joining teammate Tyler Johnson with his 4:27.07 in the same event.  Junior Jake Wayda had a huge personal record in the 300 hurdles, running 42.22  seconds, and senior Zach Schmitt threw 135'7" in the discus.

On Saturday, Mitch Johnson placed 10th in the 800 meter run and Tyler Johnson placed 11th in the 1600 meter run.  Senior Daniel Plunkett became an all-state runner for the forth time in his track career, running 4:26.45 to place 8th in the mile.  Matt Utterback became an all-state athlete for the first time in his career, jumping a new school record of 6'8" in the final, good for runner-up at the state meet.  The 4x800 became the first ever Pleasant Plains track and field members to ever bring home a state title, and they did so in a school record of 8:00.38.  The splits were: Mitch Johnson, 1:59, Daniel Plunkett, 1:59, David Plunkett, 2:01, Tyler Johnson 2:00.

In addition, the boys team set a team record for most points in a state meet with 20, and placed the highest that they ever have as a team: 7th place.  Congrats boys!