High school boys track: Track stars run to glory

PROVO — After repeatedly breaking records and winning titles, Judge Memorial senior Luke Puskedra has achieved some minor celebrity status among high school track fans.

Once he finished his 3,200-meter race Saturday morning, a pair of teenage girls sought out Puskedra and requested a picture with him.

Their desire to capture a moment with such a premier athlete is understandable — especially after he capped off his final state meet by eclipsing his own state record.

Puskedra won his third 3A title in the 3,200 on the final day of the state track and field championships at BYU, finishing in 8 minutes and 54.41 seconds. He trimmed 2.23 seconds off the record-setting time he posted at the BYU Invitational only two weeks ago.

"It's just good to know I put all I could into that two-mile," Puskedra said.

Puskedra maintained a steady pace through the first 400 meters before steadily pulling away from the pack. He sensed a special finish was in store when he saw an ever-growing crowd of spectators surround the track during the final couple of laps.

"It was definitely surreal," Puskedra said. "Just watching with 800 to go, I looked up and saw a bunch of people come out of their tents and onto the fence. It was great fan support. It was just outstanding."

The 5A meet was the only classification to feature different winners in the 1,600 and 3,200. Skyline senior Steven Clark bounced back from his last-second disappointment in the 1,600 to claim the 5A title in the 3,200 with a time of 9:27.66.

Mountain View senior Travis Fuller accomplished a rare sweep of the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. He claimed first in the 3,200 with a time of 9:25.67 and then capped off a memorable meet by winning the 800 in 1:56.79 Fuller's sweep is more remarkable considering he also played a quarterfinal soccer game for the Bruins on Friday afternoon. Earning three state titles in two days exceeded his most ambitious expectations.

"It was a goal," Fuller said. "But seeing it and having it be tangible in front of my eyes was hard to picture right at the beginning."

Panguitch senior Trac Norris duplicated Fuller's feat on the 1A level. Norris added to his 1,600 title by winning the 800 in 1.58.27 and the 3,200 in 10:05.09.

Gordon Garrett accomplished a nice sweep of his own in the 2A ranks. The Grand senior claimed state titles in the 100, 200 and long jump. His winning 200-meter time of 21.59 seconds also set a new 2A record.