COLUMBIA -- The Lexington Wildcats’ boys 4x800 relay quartet has been on an impressive streak over the past month or so and it appears there’s more ahead based on the team’s performance Friday night at Spring Valley High.
The team of Zach Langston, Tony Morales, Erik Wendt and Colby Coulter entered the record book at the Taco Bell Classic last night, setting a new meet record in the 4x800 with a time of 7:51.72.
The Wildcats’ time was also the second fastest boys 4x800 in state history, but the finish was far from a runaway. Right on their heels was the boys’ team from Cabell Midland High in West Virginia, who finished with a time of 7:51.89.
“After the first lap I got a good look at the shadows and saw some guys right up there behind me and I knew I needed a strong push at the end,” said Coulter, who ran the anchor. “At the 300 mark I knew I had a good kick and a pretty good chance.”
Coulter said as he was heading into the last turn he was concerned about getting boxed in by two other runners in the three-man lead group, “so I backed up a bit,” and dropped back to third place.
Going into the final 100 stretch, Coulter said he was able to move past the two runners. “I gave it everything I had and was thankful enough that my legs gave me enough to push through that last few meters.”
Coulter said his strategy for Friday night’s race was similar to the one the team used in winning the 4x800 a couple of weeks earlier at the Coaches Classic held at the same venue. At that event, Coulter, Morales, Wendt and Blake White won with a time of 7:55. Based on that performance, the team liked their chances Friday night despite the tougher competition.
“We have a friendly competition between us at practice,” said Coulter, the team’s lone senior. “We never really have a day off.
“Before this meet, we told each other that if a team is going to beat us they’re going to have to go under 7:50,” he said. “We didn’t get that, but we definitely had a great time. We got first and we’ll take that.”
It’s apparent this group likes running at Spring Valley and they will certainly be one of the favorites next month when they return here for the state meet.
