BOYS STATE: Centennial’s Hartle shatters meet record in 1,600

It was one of the oldest records in the books.

Andre Woods of Eldorado won the 1,600 meters in 4 minutes, 13.8 seconds at the state meet in 1982.

No one has come close since.

Until Friday.

Centennial junior Nick Hartle electrified the Class 4A state track and field meet at Del Sol by shattering the 1,600 record in 4:10.23.

Before the season, Centennial coach Roy Sessions predicted that Hartle was ready to have a special season. He suggested that Hartle could hit 4:10.

The weather at Del Sol was perfect for fast times, and the competition was there.

Galena senior Bryan Jordan finished second in 4:11.34, which also eclipsed Woods’ mark.

The first two laps were run cautiously, as Hartle took the lead early and ran a 1:05 first lap. Jordan was on his heels and decided to push the pace as they approached the 800 mark to take the lead.

Both runners broke away from the nine-man field as they cruised through three laps in 3:10.

Hartle took the lead for good with 300 meters to go.

It was the fastest 1,600 ever run in Nevada.

Hartle’s time is the No. 9 outdoor mark in the nation this season, according to track website DyeStat.com, with Jordan at No. 14.

Centennial set the tone early by winning the 3,200 relay. Seeded only fourth, the Bulldogs retained their state championship, doing it without their usual anchor, Hartle, who would be running the 1,600 relay instead. Dominic  Lopez and Kyle Merritt, veterans from 2010, led way, and the Bulldogs picked up the 10 points by finishing first in 7:56.40.

Hartle came back 35 minutes after his 1,600 win and ran the 400.

McQueen junior Arnold Carrillo held off Silverado’s Ladale Jackson to win the 400 in 47.63. Jackson was second in 48.03, and Foothill’s James Henderson took third (49.22). Hartle was fourth (49.27).
Jackson then returned to win the 200 in convincing fashion, running 21.56.

Silverado leads in team scoring with 42 points, ahead of Centennial and Reno, who are tied at 37.

Silverado freshman Randall Cunningham II won the 4A boys high jump state title with a season-best mark of 6 feet, 7 inches.

It’s the second-best jump in the country by a freshman this year, according to DyeStat.

“Thanks to Randall, we’re in good shape,” Skyhawks coach Jerry Oliver said. “He’s got to be one of the best freshmen in the country.”

In other boys individual 4A events, Canyon Springs’ Cory Esco won the high jump in 23-7¼.

The 4A boys 110 hurdles was one of the closest races of the day. Reno’s Nicholas Norton (14.99) beat out Centennial’s Keith Lewis (15.06).

In one of the most exciting relay races of the day, Bonanza won the 4A boys 800 relay with a come-from-behind anchor leg by freshman Jayveon Taylor. Bonanza’s winning time of 1:28.33 was the fastest of the day for the 800 relay.

Northern Nevada schools lead in each of the small-school boys meets. Churchill County is first in 3A with 60½ points, Whittell in 2A with 51 points and Sierra Lutheran in 1A with 78½ points.

Action resumes at 8 a.m. Saturday.