The Aledo Bearcats ended the 2023 track season with a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter relay at the Class 5A State Track and Field Meet Friday, May 12.
The quartet of Hawk Patrick-Daniels, Jaden Allen, Hauss Hejny, and Aven Lawrence - all juniors - clocked a time of 1:26.61 seconds. They narrowly missed the medal podium by .62 seconds.
"The kids competed great, three-tenths off their fastest time of the year and got fourth place - out of lane 9!" exclaimed coach Andrew Clark. "It was a really bad draw to have the third fastest qualifying time and get stuck out in lane 9."
Common narratives claim that in races with corners, running in the outside lanes (typically 7 through 9) is disadvantageous as the runner cannot see their competitors.
Killeen Ellison, running in Lane 6, won state with a time of 1:25.01.
Denton Ryan originally finished fourth in the event, but was disqualified because a runner took five consecutive steps in another runner's lane. That disqualification not only moved everyone behind them in the event up a notch, but also kept the Raiders from winning the overall team state championship.
Also for the Bearcats, junior pole vaulter Brad Campbell placed seventh, clearing 14 feet, 6 inches.
"It was a great experience. He will be looking to make back-to-back appearances at the state meet," Clark said.
Gator Young of Argyle won gold with a vault of 16 feet.
The Aledo 1600 relay squad of sophomore Adam Averett, Lawrence, sophomore Blake Burdine and Hejny, finished eighth with a time of 3;24.53.
"With the rolling time schedule due to incoming weather, I knew the 4x400 could take a hit," Clark said. "We had very little recovery time between races. The kids still got out there and competed.
"Great year overall, a lot to celebrate."
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