Lakota East’s Horter on the fast track to success

The high school track and field season started last month, but for talented Lakota East distance runner Dustin Horter, racing turned for real just last week.

That’s because the junior burned an 8:56.52 in the 3,200 meters in the Eastern Relays at the University of Louisville. He followed that up 12 hours later with a 1:54.96 in the 800.

Those times immediately vaulted him among the nation’s best, according to the national results compilation website MileSplit.com. Those aren’t Ohio records, but that could be a hint of what might happen as the weather warms and the competition gets better.

“That pretty much kicked off my season as far as I was concerned,” said Horter, who rallied East from 12th to third in the distance medley relay during Thursday’s first day of the 19th annual Wayne track and field invitational at the suburban Dayton school.

“I’m feeling really good and I’m ready for (Friday). I give it up to my team for putting me in position to get up there and dust them all if I could.”

Beavercreek won the distance medley relay (10:32.13) and received another first from triple jumper Matthew Riekens (43 feet, 1.75 inches) to post the first-day boys lead, 20-17 over host Wayne.

Mason was second in the distance medley relay and added a sixth in the high jump to hold an 11-10 advantage over Minster for the girls team lead. Minster senior Jordyn Heitbrink won the high jump (5-5) to account for all of Minster’s points.

The meet continues at 3:30 p.m. Friday with finals scheduled for approximately 6:30. The two-day meet has drawn 67 complete boys/girls teams and 1,434 entrants.

Horter will attempt a grueling double on Friday: the open 1,600 and 3,200. There will be about two hours between the races. Last fall’s Division I individual state cross country champion, he’ll be among the favorites in both events.

His 1,600 anchor split in the relay on Thursday was 4:12.

“I always expect myself to perform and I never doubt my abilities despite the competition,” he said. “I go in with confidence. I race as hard as I can. I’m giving it my all and I’m trying to put my team in the best position.”

• Thursday’s other area placers were paced by Lakota West triple jumpers Myian Horton (second; 42-8.25) and Robert Smith (sixth; 39-11.75). Rachel Heidtman of Middletown was fifth in the discus (122-11), Logan Currington of West was fifth in the high jump (6-2) and Ayana Johnson of West was eighth in the high jump (5-0).

• Friday’s area finals qualifiers were Andrew Whitaker of Lakota West in the highs (15.50) and Serena Clark (12.50) and Kaylyn Heath (12.80) of East in the 100. All other Friday racing and field events are seeded by previous results.

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