Track Team Sets New Records; Hurdler Named State Champion

The Hawken Track Team was in Columbus for the OHSAA State Track & Field Championship and came home with gold and silver. Seniors Tyler Nichols and Jake McKay along with Juniors Ryan Harkey and Jake Willen represented the Hawks at The Ohio State University. Tyler Nichols became the first Hawken boy`s individual state track & field champion since Damon Butler won the 400m in 1998. Tyler set a school record as he won the 110m Hurdles with a time of 14.64 seconds. Tyler finished .19 second ahead of Tim Sanders of Delphos Jefferson. After failing to qualify to the Regional finals in 2008, Tyler went undefeated in the 110m Hurdles in 2009, capping it off with a State Title. The Video of Tyler`s Championship race may be seen at; http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235127/184528 Tyler joined Jake Willen, Jake McKay and Ryan Harkey in the 4x200m Relay final. The Hawks ran a season`s best and school record time of 1:29.01 on the way to the second place finish to Trinity High School by .05 second. In 2008 the 4x200m Relay Team finished in 5th place at the Regional Meet, missing state competition. In 2009 the relay team won at the NEO Division III Invitational, Perry Relays, Dick Beeler Invitational, CVC Championship and the OHSAA Regional Meet. The video of the exciting race may be seen at; http://www.flotrack.org/videos/coverage/view_video/235127/184526 As a team, the Hawks scored 18 points to finish in 8th place among the 114 teams that participated in the Division III State Championship Meet. Click here to read the article from the Sun Messenger.