Boys 800m
The pace was set in section 4 of five by Vance Ruiz (Blacksburg, VA) who pulled away from a strong field to run 1:55.87 and set the standard for what was coming in the fast heat.
Saxon Brown (Simpsonville, SC) was the top seed in the event and took out the pace in 55.00 through the opening 400m with the field of 8 others in tow. Colter Nichols (Providence Day), Grant Howlett (Lake Norman Charter) and Sam Rodman (Liberty, VA) all sat on his heels in a lead pack of four at the bell. Brown continued to lead through the 600m mark with Howlett behind him on the inside of lane 1 and Nichols on the outside of lane 1 looking to make a move.
Despite looking like he was boxed in, Howlett was able to get free and opened up his stride pulling away from the field over the final 150 meters and charged down the homestretch to clock a 2 second PR in 1:52.39. With splits of 55.11 and 57.27, Howlett's mark ranks 30th in the United States this outdoor season, and by the way he looked finishing he likely has a little time he could knock off of that mark.
Colter Nichols jutted edged Saxon Brown at the line in 1:54.38 to 1:54.61 with Rodman taking 4th in 1:54.72 just on their heels. Krystopher Durham (Weddington) set a new personal bet as well in 5th clocking 1:55.85.