Track & Field: Smoky Hill’s Blake Yount sets state record in 800 meters, looks for more

GREENWOOD VILLAGE | Many track athletes who set state records feel accomplished, but for Smoky Hill’s Blake Yount, there wasn’t a whole lot of satisfaction Saturday for the ultra-fierce competitor.

Yount set the Colorado state record in the 800 meter run of 1 minute, 51.20 seconds in the Cherry Creek/Grandview Invitational at Stutler Bowl — breaking his own state record in the process — though it didn’t meet his goals quite yet.

“It’s not exactly what I wanted; I wanted to go in the 1:50s,” Yount said. “It’s still the record, but I’m not happy with it. I want to go faster.”

The University of Oklahoma signee ran the race exactly as he wanted to, as he got out in front early in the opening lap, with Cherry Creek’s Daniel Book settled in right behind him, then pulled away with about a half lap remaining. He powered across the finish line in 1:51.20, bettering the 1:51.63 that gave him the state record on the same track in 2014 at the Centennial League Championships.

“I think I’m just not fit enough to run that fast yet,” Yount said. “I just ran my race. Looking back, I think I ran really well and I can’t think of any immediate area where I could take off more time. I think it just comes down to fitness and how much harder I can work in practice.”

Yount finished his day by teaming up with Tahir Hopkins, Dominique Carrasco and Kevin Del Mazo Apablaza on a dynamic 4×400 meter relay that won comfortably.

Depending on where Smoky Hill coaches needed him to earn points in the Centennial League Championships May 7 and May 9 at Stutler Bowl, Yount may not run the 800 again until the Class 5A state meet May 14-16 at Jefferson County Stadium.

Yount got denied the 5A state crown in the event last season when former Denver East star Cerake Geberkidane edged him at the finish line.

Courtney Oakes is Sports Editor of the Aurora Sentinel. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or [email protected] Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel