Haney ran his fastest race by more than a second in 1:53.74. His previous best was at state last year when he finished third. The runners who beat him graduated, so Haney knew the race was his to win.
“I was so much more nervous last year,” Haney said. “This year I came in prepared and knew what I wanted to get and how I wanted to get it.”
Haney’s plan meant he had to run on a painful left big toe that becomes inflamed about 50 meters into the race.
“My coach said just make this that inspirational story that you can push through anything,” Haney said. “It’s kind of awesome because it makes me remember how bad I wanted it.”
Haney’s next plan is to spend a year with his three-man band in search of a record deal. Haney, bassist Alex Shiffer and drummer Miles Clayborne plan to go on the road to Los Angeles, New York and Orlando. Haney, who does most of the song writing, said the band will record eight new songs next week in Columbus.
Shawnee senior Michael Tymoski ran out front for much of the Division II 3,200 then almost rallied from 20 meters down before finishing a close second to Defiance’s Abel Flores in 9:29.74.
“I knew (Flores) would come, but I didn’t know how quick,” Tymoski said. “I tried to go with him, but I got kind of boxed in. I thought I could get back up with him, but I just didn’t have enough.”
Tymoski, who will run cross country at Dayton, ran the best time of his career by almost nine seconds. He was seventh at state last year and came in with the sixth-best time in the state this year.
“I’m really happy,” he said. “It was a really good race for my last one in high school.”
Fellow Shawnee senior Tyler Greenwood, who will run at Cedarville, placed sixth in the 1,600 with a career-best time of 4:20.95. He was fifth last year. Greenwood also placed 13th in the 800 in 1:59.35 about 45 minutes after running the 1,600.
“I’m a little disappointed in myself,” Greenwood said of the 1,600. “I ran for time instead of place, instead of just racing. I’m happy with the PR – just not quite as fast or as high as I would like to have placed.”
Shawnee sophomore Will Holmes was 10th in the 1,600 in 4:25.98. Jordan Adams of Northwestern placed 14th in the Division II discus at 146-1.
West Liberty-Salem’s 4x400 relay team of senior Ross Hickenbottom and juniors Taylor Cordell, Kelvin Shank and Conner Karg placed sixth with a season-best time of 3:24.6.
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