2017-18 Boys Track & Field State Finals Recap

June 2, 2018

Seniors Lead Orioles to First Boys Track & Field State Championship
On a night that was highlighted by spectacular senior performances, Avon’s own seniors Isaac Guerendo and Keith Abramson powered their team to its first ever state title in Boys Track & Field.

Guerendo scored points early and often for the Orioles, taking home an individual crown in the 100 M Dash with a time of 10.51. He also anchored Avon’s state champion 400 relay team that consisted of fellow senior Jaban Carter, junior Christopher Smith, and sophomore Geordan Blades. Guerendo was not finished on the night, however, as he finished second in the 200 dash and long jump as well. Senior classmate Keith Abramson more than sealed the deal for the Orioles by posting a time of 1:54.62 in the 800 run, taking home an individual state title for himself as well.

While the Orioles shined, other senior athletes closed out brilliant careers of their own. Plymouth senior Nate Patterson not only defended his state title in the high jump, but also broke the state record in the event by clearing 7-4. His new state mark bested a record that, while equaled twice, had stood since 1977.

As Patterson was setting his record, fellow Frankfort senior Colton Crum was following suit. After wrapping up the first-place position in pole vault, Crum broke the previous record of 17-6 by clearing a height of 17-6.25. Crum was honored with the Robert S. Hinshaw Mental Attitude Award at the end of the evening as well.

On the track, senior hurdler Shaton Vaughn from Fort Wayne Northrop won back-to-back state championships in the 300 intermediate hurdles, finishing his final race in 37.52. Meanwhile in the field events, Western senior Tyler Gilbert won his second consecutive discus state title with a throw of 177-3. The shot put saw the only non-senior to win an individual state title, as junior George Karlaftis of West Lafayette threw an impressive 60-0.5 to defend his own state championship crown.

The official attendance for Saturday’s event at Indiana University’s Robert C. Hough Track and Field Complex was 4,854.

State Champions
3200 Relay: North Central (Indianapolis) (Ian Hunter 12; Jonathan Deem-Loureiro 11; Jacob Lough 12; Isaac Weber 12), 7:44.07
100 Meters: Isaac Guerendo, 12, Avon, 10.51
110 Hurdles: Madison Norris, 12, Hamilton Southeastern, 14.02
200 Meters: Justin Becker, 12, Carroll (FW), 21.50
1600 Meters: Matthew Schadler, 12, Evansville Reitz Memorial, 4:07.83
400 Relay: Avon (Geordan Blades 10; Christopher Smith 11; Jaban Carter 12; Isaac Guerendo 12), 41.28
400 Meters: Braden Corzan, 12, Chesterton, 47.41
300 Hurdles: Shaton Vaughn, 12, Fort Wayne Northrop, 37.52
800 Meters:  Keith Abramson, 12, Avon, 1:54.62
3200 Meters: Skylar Stidam, 12, Christian Academy of Indiana, 9:13.34
1600 Relay: Fishers (Nicholas Carrithers 11; Henry Lewis II 11; Disean Graham 12; Benjamin Norton 12), 3:15.80
Discus: Tyler Gilbert, 12, Western, 177-3
Shot Put: George Karlaftis, 11, West Lafayette, 60-0.5
Long Jump: Nick Ryan, 12, Crown Point, 23-5.5
High Jump: Nate Patterson, 12, Plymouth, 7-4 State Record
Pole Vault: Colton Crum, 12, Frankfort, 17-6.25 State Record

Colton Crum of Frankfort High School Wins Hinshaw Mental Attitude Award
Members of the IHSAA Executive Committee named Colton Crum of Frankfort High School as the winner of this year’s Robert S. Hinshaw Mental Attitude Award in Boys Track and Field.

A four-time jumper of the year and team captain, Crum has been a decorated pole vaulter through his high school career. Last year at the state meet, he earned runner-up with a finishing height of 17-0, and this year cleared 17-6.25 to break the state meet record of 17-6. In the classroom, Crum ranked third in his class of 207, and has been a National Honor Society member for three years. He also partakes in Frankfort Future Leaders Advisory Council and volunteers his time to tutoring physics and math.

The son of Gary and Lisa Crum of Frankfort, he will attend the University of Notre Dame next fall on an athletic scholarship and major in economics with a minor in theology.

The IHSAA Executive Committee, on behalf of Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Frankfort High School in the name of Colton Crum.