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Nichols ready for State Finals appearance
In a field featuring sprinters from Bloomington, Terre Haute, Jeffersonville, Salem, Bedford and other large schools, Stuart Nichols was able to claim a spot at the IHSAA Boys’ Track and Field State Finals in possibly the toughest event at the meet.
Nichols finished third in the 100-meter dash at the Bloomington North Regional, finishing in a time of 11.35, a mere .06 seconds in front of Jeffersonville’s Jeremiah Brown.
“I was very excited,” Nichols said upon finding out his finishing position at the regional. “I went up to (Greencastle head coach Kevin Kendall) and he said, not to ruin a good moment, but I needed to work on my grades then, which I have.”
Ahead of Saturday’s finals, Nichols said the work Kendall had in mind was to make his starts better to help against a field that had 21 sprinters that met or beat the state standard time of 11.03.
“It’s been a lot of work and definitely more serious than before,” Nichols said. “I’ve been working on block start and being more powerful, along with 90 degree shin angles and other things to get as much power as I can.”
Kendall, despite looking forward even in the moment, said Nichols earned his spot at the finals.
“I am extremely proud of Stuart and his tremendous accomplishments throughout the season,” Kendall said. “He is without a doubt one of the most talented, fluid and natural sprinters I’ve had the privilege to coach.
“His efficiency as a sprinter as he glides down the track puts his speed and power on full display. He is now a state qualifier in the 100-meter dash and can forever say he was one of the 28 fastest athletes in the state of Indiana for the 2022 season.”
The Tiger Cub head coach said he thought several members of the track team had the ability to make it to the finals, though Nichols was the most forthright when it came to realizing that goal.
“I talked to the team early in the season and discussed achieving at a high level,” Kendall noted. “I told them what I thought was possible for this group, one of the most successful boys’ track and field teams ever at Greencastle, and I mentioned having an athlete or a group of athletes take me to state.
“I say that because they are the ones competing, training throughout the season to perfect their craft and I am lucky to be able to go with them if they earn the right to participate in the state meet in June. Stuart quietly and humbly said, ‘I’ll take you to state, coach,’ and here we are.
“It’s been a fantastic season and we aren’t done,” Kendall added. “I am thrilled for Stuart to compete at IU and excited for him to have this experience, take in the moment and create memories to last a lifetime.”
Nichols practiced at the Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex at Indiana University on Thursday as the finals return following a year at Ben Davis High School.
With the recent renovations at Greencastle, including a new track surface, Nichols said the importance of the practice was not about getting used to the feel of the track so much as the feel of the venue as a whole.
“Our track is pretty close to their track, so it’s more about getting into the mindset that this is where I’m running Saturday,” Nichols said.
While Nichols is listed 28th in the field for Saturday’s prelims, racing in the fourth heat, the junior said he going out to race his best against the best the state has to offer.
“I’m to go out there and do my best,” Nichols said. “I want to PR for sure.
“Thinking about it, I’m OK even if I don’t make it to the final race. I’m to go out there, try my best and the rest of the field is going to push me for sure.”