3200m Run
Friday's final distance event in the boy's 3200 would not disappoint. Penn commit Raghav Gopalakrishnan of Ardrey Kell would string the field out early taking it out through 1600 meters in 4:36.01 followed by the usual suspects Will Venable and Noah Valyo right on Gopalakrishnan's tail. Asheville's Michael Haskin and Cuthbertson's Thomas Wlazlowski began to insert themselves into the race as a lead pack of those two, Gopalakrishnan, Venable and Vaylo would break away from the rest of the field.
The two favorites coming in Venable and Vaylo would squeeze down the pace separating themselves and making it a two-man race with 200. Vaylo of Athens Drive would drop the hammer with a final lap split of 58.73 to complete the 1600-3200 double in a season-best 9:01.94, a new NC #4 mark. Haskin had a huge performance posting a 17-second personal best to finish second to Valyo in 9:03.96 continuing his breakout season. Venable finished third in 9:07.08 with Wlazlowski grabbing the final podium spot in 9:09.12.
Jack Anstrom cruised to yet another state championship completing his 1600-3200 double in a time of 9:30.24. Senior Carson Wells from West Stanley took the runner-up spot in 9:42.01. Just behind were Zeb Mathis of West Stokes for 3rd followed by Aaron Brown of Nash Central in 9:45.
1A would step to the line first where the top seed coming in Blake Nicholson of Christ the King would comfortably take the win in a time of 9:29.69. Carl Baird was the runner-up with a 9:36.07.
Lastly, it was 3A's turn in the 3200. Tyrese Cone of Croatan would take over the pacing duties leading the field through the halfway point at 4:48.20. A pack of five runners began to break away, trading off laps and quickening the pace. After a 1:09 seventh lap, it dwindled to a group of three boys heading into the bell lap with Eli Julian of South Rowan, sophomore Ethan Rich of Western Harnett, and Will Downs of Atkins. It would be Julian and Rich heading down the home stretch however senior Eli Julian would prove the strongest becoming a state champion in a time of 9:26.81. Rich would take second in 9:28.06, followed by Judah Lacroix of First Flight at 9:35.18 for third and Downs at 9:35.65 for fourth.