Russellville's Frank wins state title in Class 2 800

Harrison Frank of Russellville crosses the finish line to place first in the Class 2 boys 800-meter run Saturday at Adkins Stadium.
Harrison Frank of Russellville crosses the finish line to place first in the Class 2 boys 800-meter run Saturday at Adkins Stadium.

Russellville senior Harrison Frank had already pieced together a stellar track and field career entering his final event Saturday at the Class 2 state track and field championships.

In four years, Frank qualified for state in 12 events and had achieved six all-state medals - including three runner-up finishes - heading into the 800-meter run. The only thing missing from his resume was a gold medal.

Not anymore.

Frank finished first in the 800, making a strong push during the final 200 meters to win with a time of 1:59.07.

"You just have to let it all out there," Frank said. "It's my last one, might as well make it my best one."

During the race, Frank kept pace at the front of the pack with Malik Stewart of Maplewood-Richmond Heights and defending state champ James Allen of Cleveland NJROTC. Steelville's Garrett Becker led at the midway point but finished fourth.

With about 200 meters to go, Frank made his push coming around the turn. He caught Stewart with a little more than 100 meters left and passed him to win the race by 1.7 seconds.

"It's almost all strategy," Frank said. "A lot of people get boxed in on the first lap. I got boxed in, but luckily I was able to get out a little bit. It's a crazy race."

Frank was only thinking of one thing during those last 100 meters before the finish line.

"In the back of my head, I was like, 'Man, I hope no one comes out of nowhere,'" Frank said.

Four of Frank's eight all-state medals have come in the 800.

"My freshman year, I got fourth," Frank said of the 800. "Ever since then, I've had my eye set on it."

He took second place as a sophomore before falling back to fourth place last season. Frank has medaled three times in the 4x800-meter relay - including a pair of runner-up finishes in 2017 and '18 - and took eighth place Saturday in the 400-meter dash finals in 57.46 seconds, conserving his energy for the 800.

Frank said he will run track for Columbia College next season, joining a list of Russellville distance runners in college that includes Alex Thompson, Matt Fringer, Damian Miller and Jamie Porter.

The Russellville boys tied for 11th place in the Class 2 team standings with 21 points. The Indians had a pair of eighth-place finishes Saturday from Tristin Little in the 110-meter hurdles (16.44 seconds) and Beau Bryant in the long jump (20 feet, 0.5 inches).

The Russellville girls tied for 25th place in the team standings with 11 points. Junior Makenzie Schwartz accounted for all the Lady Indians' points in two events.

Schwartz qualified for the finals of the 100-meter hurdles by a few tenths of a second and was positioned in lane 1 for Saturday's final.

Schwartz said she surprised herself with a second-place finish in the a time of 16.22 seconds.

"I couldn't believe it at first," Schwartz said. "I knew Anna Heacock was going to win, she's been good the whole time I've been in track. The fact I was that close to her is really amazing."

In the 300-meter hurdles, Schwartz and South Callaway senior Adrian Mann ran side-by-side in the finals. Mann finished fifth in 48.46 seconds, followed by Schwartz in sixth in 49.64.

The two Show-Me Conference rivals have gone head-to-head numerous times this spring. They finished 1-2 in the hurdles events at the conference meet - Mann won both - and did so again in the 300 hurdles at sectionals, with Schwartz winning that time.

"We're so used to it now," Mann said. "We always high-five each other, no matter who wins. It's really fun to participate with Makenzie. The competition is fun, we have a good time."

Schwartz qualified for state in the 100-meter dash but came up short of the finals. Next season, the five-time medalist wants to return to state in all four of her events, adding the 200-meter dash.

"It would show all the hard work I put in is showing," Schwartz said.

Eugene senior Jasmine Evers wrapped up her high-school career Saturday, taking third place in the Class 2 girls shot put. Her best throw traveled 37-0, earning a sixth all-state medal.

A rain delay postponed the start of the shot put by an hour and a half and abbreviated the event to four throws for each competitor, rather than three in the preliminaries and three in the finals.

"You kind of get anxious when you're sitting there, waiting to throw," Evers said. "You just have to do your best in the four throws."

Evers placed eighth in the shot put as a sophomore and took fifth last year as a junior.

"I know I could do better, but it's OK," said Evers, adding she will throw next season at Central Methodist University.

With Friday's win in the discus, Evers accounted for all of Eugene's 16 points, putting the Lady Eagles in 19th place in the team standings.

Other area medalists Saturday include a pair of Tipton boys. Junior Kodie Dick finished fourth in the 400 with a time of 51.42 seconds. Junior Isaac Ashton took eighth in the 1,600-meter run in 4:42.70.

The Vienna girls 4x800-meter relay of Kara Harker, Annalise Jordan, Marsie Messersmith and Taylour Schoene posted a fifth-place time of 10:30.38. The South Callaway girls 4x100-meter relay of Ashley Potter, Kaci Jordan, Hannah Benningfield and Paige Clubb came in seventh place with a time of 52.78 seconds.

Belle senior Skylar Smith took eighth in the boys 200-meter dash with a time of 23.36 seconds.