Three county track athletes eye state

When the IHSAA Boys' State Track meet gets going Saturday, three Putnam County athletes will be looking to make some noise. Cloverdale's Joe Rumley and Greencastle's Tyler Hudson and Hayden Stuckwisch will be among the select athletes competing for a spot on the podium at the state finals.

Rumley has been a beast this season. He has captured first place in the 800-meter run at the county, conference, sectional and regional meets, reducing his time each race.

At county he narrowly missed setting a record in the 800 by finishing at 1:58.46.

Since then he has lowered his time more than three seconds after recording a time of 1:55.35 to win the Evansville Central Regional.

At the state meet he is seeded fifth, but is just a few second behind top seeded Gary Austin of Pike.

Hudson has had a solid tournament season as well, finishing third at both the sectional and regional meets in the 800. At sectional Hudson's time of 1:59.69 placed him solidly in third.

He followed that up with a 1:59.12 at the Evansville Regional to claim third. He is seeded 24th overall in 800.

Stuckwisch placed second at the Terre Haute North Sectional in the high jump with a height of 6-2. He improved his height, but dropped a few spots, at regional, placing fifth in the event with a height of 6-4.

He is seeded 25th but could move way up the board if he's able to add some height come Saturday.

Stuckwisch will get the action going Saturday as the high jump event begins at 3:30 p.m. Rumley and Hudson will compete in the 800 at 7:45 p.m.

The IHSAA Boys' State Track Final takes place Saturday at Indiana University's Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex.