The Henderson County High School Track and Field Team wrapped up their outdoor season with some strong performances at the KHSAA State Meet on May 31. It was a solid showing for the team as they posted several top 20 finishes against the strongest competitors from across the state.
“It was a really good day and the kids were ready to go. They competed well. I’m definitely proud of them. Overall, everyone did well and I’m proud that they all got there,” said Colonels track coach Sam Martin.
The Cols standout performance belonged to Jaxon Nunn, who finished seventh overall in the shot put. Nunn only began throwing last year as a junior. Martin stated Nunn peaked at the right time, having come a long way since he started. He also had to overcome a past shoulder injury, further highlighting his perseverance.
Nunn said his whole state experience played out like a movie, as he was the ninth and final person to qualify for the finals.
“At region, I kind of threw bad,” Nunn said. “Personally, I would say I got lucky to even make it to state. I started feeling good and throwing well. I felt like I needed to capitalize on my situation. I scratched on my first two and it all came down to the last throw and I just threw a big one.”
Nunn attributed much of his mental and technical success to his coaches including his throwing coach Wes Fehrenbacher and the sprints coach Silaf Harris, who helped him through his injury.
There were several other notable performances at the state meet:
- Avery Thomson, 12th in girls pole vault
- Jackson Smith, 16th in pole vault
- Tony Burrus, 12th in 110m hurdles
- Tyreese McCombs, 18th in 300m hurdles
- Ryder Cottingham, 22nd in triple jump
- Jacob Nunn, 14th in discus
- Bentley Simpson, 21st in discus
Christian Smith, Ross Plummer, Jordan Haynes and Jace Benton finished 16th in the 4×800 meter relay.
Also for HCHS, Drew Hagan partnered with Levi Wright in two Unified events: the shot put and 2×50 meter relay. The pair placed 12th in shot put and 16th in the relay, earning recognition for their effort and sportsmanship.
According to KHSAA, Unified Sports “allows high school students with and without intellectual disabilities the opportunity to represent their high school on the same team.”
KHSAA has partnered with Special Olympics of Kentucky to offer this unique and inclusive opportunity so that all athletes have the chance to develop character, teamwork and school spirit.
Hagan, and his twin sister Mallory, were mentioned by their coach and several teammates as being leaders and even somewhat student coaches on the team.
“I always want to see somebody new enter the sport and bring love to the sport. We were able to go to state for the last three years,” said Hagan of his experience with Unified Sports. “It really is a rewarding experience to see somebody that sometimes doesn’t get the opportunities that all of us do get. To see the smiles and happiness it brought to him, it really rewards the person helping out.”
Hagan has grown fond of his Unified teammate, Wright, over the past three years that they have been working together.
“Levi is an awesome guy,” Hagan said. “If you’re ever having a bad day whether it’s in the halls or at practice, he’s always going to be smiling or laughing and willing to give you a fist bump or a hug. No matter what, he’s going to be there to brighten up your day.”
HCHS also had one of their strongest showings over the past several years at the Class 3A Region 1 track meet, with three athletes earning top spots. Thomson won the girls’ pole vault. Burrus won the boys 110m hurdles. Smith won the boys’ pole vault, with Aiden Hite taking second place.
“Going into it, I really just wanted to qualify for state, but I just got in there and performed the best I’ve performed in a long time to come out with that first-place finish,” said Smith.
Overall the boys’ team finished in third place, while the girls’ team finished fifth at regionals.
Thomson nearly chose not to return to the team for the outdoor season due to the mental and physical strain of pole vaulting, as well as a past back injury, but is glad that she did.
“The boys have really come back and the girls are in the process of building back up again. We sent a lot of people to state this year,” said Thomson. “I was seeded number one the past three years and I just kind of choked every single time. Regionals was a rough day. The weather was awful. It felt good to finally win one.”
At least three athletes will continue their track and field careers in college. Mallory Hagan will attend the University of Evansville for hurdles. Lacon McKinney, who was sidelined most of his senior season by injury, will also attend UE to run the 400-meter dash, while Hite will go to Lindsey Wilson College to pole vault.