From Deseret News archives:
High school track: Judge runner sets state record
Puskedra thought his 3,200 times had been consistent the way he wanted them this year. The 1,600, on the other hand, seemed a little more up-and-down.
The Bulldogs' star senior feels much better about the shorter distance event now after rewriting the state record books for the second time this month.
Puskedra finished in 4 minutes, 9.29 seconds to win his third 3A title in the 1,600 on Friday morning during the first day of the state track and field championships at BYU. He eclipsed the previous state record which Timpview's David Spence set in 1989 by 4.02 seconds.
"I've been looking at the state record for a bit," Puskedra said. "It's just pretty sick being able to go after it. With the crowd and everything in it, it was a good time."
Puskedra's winning time also ranks first nationally. The University of Oregon-bound runner didn't quite get the split time he aimed for in his first lap clocking in at around 63 seconds instead of 62 but he turned on the thrusters in the final lap and finished more than 14 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
"I'm going to go after a good time," Puskedra said. "I'm going to try to be a little bit more aggressive than going out at BYU."
Riverton's Trevor Sharp engaged in a spirited duel with Skyline senior Stephen Clark in the final lap before edging him out for a 5A title in the 1,600 meters. Sharp finished in 4:18.24, while Clark clocked in at 4:18.78.
Sharp led during the first two laps before dropping behind Clark and Brighton's Oliver Williams on the third. He regrouped and caught both during the final lap, finally overtaking Clark for good as he stumbled and collapsed near the finish line.
"Third lap is usually my weakest lap, so I wasn't too surprised at getting passed," Sharp said. "I just tried to hold onto them, because I usually have a good finish."
Travis Fuller also survived a tight race to claim the 4A title in the 1,600. Fuller crossed the finish line in 4:20.09 barely fast enough to outlast Springville's Spencer Gardner, who finished in 4:20.61.
Manti's Daniel Howell (4:31.63) and Panguitch's Trac Norris (4:30.50) repeated as state title winners in the 1,600 for 2A and 1A, respectively.
Recent comments
Wyatt You rock
1 | Nov. 3, 2008 at 11:17 a.m.
Thanks for an interesting story.
Track fan | May 20, 2008 at 2:25 p.m.
- Soccer MVPs know how to win 1:56 a.m.
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 1:56 a.m.
- High school soccer: Past MVPs 1:37 a.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

