KJ Boyce Wins First Place out of 36 Competitors. (Photo/Ally Sabgir’18)

The Vikes kicked off their third week of competition at home on Wednesday, April 12, coming in second place behind Worthington Christian and in front of Bishop Ready.

On Saturday, April 15, the boys faced their biggest challenge yet at the Hank Smith Invitational in Heath. Despite opposing a whopping 19 teams—some of which were Division I—the Vikes never failed to make their presence known. The team fired on all cylinders with standout performances.

Earning first place—and beating out 36 competitors—KJ Boyce’17 scorched the track in the 400 with a blazing 51.00. 

The boys did not back down in the 800 either. Dylan Warren’17 and Nick Watson’18 nabbed 9th and 11th places out of 34 runners with times of 2:08.93 and 2:10.13, respectively.

Grayson Mick’17 and Nick Robie’18 also held their own in the 1600. Mick obliterated his already impressive personal record by chopping off four seconds and took 5th place with a time of 4:38.69. Robie, running a 4:44.22, flashed in right behind him, seizing 7th place.

Charlie Sabgir’20 was no exception to the team’s high standards. In the trying 3200, Sabgir snagged 9th place in 10:41.11, only coming in behind more experienced upperclassmen from other schools.

In the 300 hurdles, Tommy Mampieri’17 earned 7th place with a time of 44.31, beating 21 other competitors in the event.

In addition to outstanding achievements in individual events, the team stood out in relays, too.  Seniors Warren, Hunter Moffett, Mampieri, and Boyce took third place in the 4×400.

 Mampieri, Angus Soderberg’18, Watson, and Warren also claimed third  in the 4×800.

Academy came in 11th place with 30 points but more importantly exhibited immense potential for the rest of the season. 

On Saturday, April 22, the boys compete away in the Bloom Carroll Invitational (away).