PHOTO from Ada Bulldogs Facebook

By Cort Reynolds

COLUMBUS – Ada High School senior speedster Kayleb Hickman advanced to the finals with a strong effort in the 400-meter semifinals on day one of the Div. V state track and field meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus on Thursday, June 4.

The 400-meter preliminary boys races were held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 4. Hickman won heat two with a time of 49.91 to automatically earn the second seed at Friday’s final.

Hickman finished with the fourth-best time out of 16 runners in the two 400-meter preliminary heats to easily qualify for the state finals, and earned the number two seed by virtue of winning his heat. 

Fostoria regional champion King Wilson, Jr. of Oregon Cardinal Stritch won the faster, first preliminary heat with a time of 49.34. Jacorie Horner of St. Thomas Aquinas crossed the line second in heat one at 49.38, followed by Convoy Crestview’s Hayden Perrott in 49.41.

Matthew Wymer of North Middle Springfield ended up second in heat two behind Hickman in 50.1.

The top two finishers in each heat, plus the next five best preliminary times, qualified to compete in the 400-meter finals Friday at 5:52 p.m. Thus nine of the 18 qualifiers made it to the final state round.

Wilson will be in lane four, with Hickman beside him in lane five.

Hardin Northern senior Riley Newton also advanced to the 400-meter finals as the eighth seed. He finished fourth in the second heat that Hickman won with a time of 50.24.