The only freshman among the 27 sprinters competing in the 200-meter dash on Friday isn’t the beneficiary of beginner’s luck.
Brandon Wheat has always been fast.
“In my grade, I’ve always been one of the fastest kids,” said Wheat, one of eight athletes representing Center Grove across seven events at the state track and field finals. “I’ll probably be a little bit nervous, but I’m just trying to do the best that I can and hopefully be in the top nine to be on the podium.”
Wheat is seeded an impressive sixth in the 200 after running a career-best time of 22.01 seconds in a runner-up finish at the Warren Central Regional. He previously sped from the field at the Columbus North Sectional, running a 22.31.
The freshman feels he might have to break 22 seconds in order to bring home a medal. However, Wheat’s regional time would have been fast enough to place eighth at each of the last two state meets.
Wheat also runs the 100-meter dash, his best time being 11.07 seconds. But with other talented sprinters on the Trojans roster, coach Eric Moore didn’t want Wheat to have to run preliminary races in the 100 and 200, then the 4×100 relay and then the individual finals.
In future seasons, Wheat’s workload is likely to increase. Three of the Trojans running on relays today (Gavin Matheson, Jake Keith and Sam Hohlt) are seniors.
“Brandon was in my eighth-grade football camp last year at this time,” Moore said. “He’s just remarkable. The whole varsity track experience was new to him. It bit him a little when we started, but he’s really come on strong.
“He doesn’t like the longer sprint workouts that he’s been doing, but, obviously, they’re helping. His times have been coming down. I’m very proud of him. He’s got a great heart to run as hard as he does and a capacity to not worry about the bigness of the event. Brandon is not afraid to go out as fast as he can and make everybody catch him.”
Wheat isn’t the first family member to familiarize himself with the Robert C. Haugh complex at Indiana University. His older sister, 2018 Center Grove grad Ashley, helped the Trojans’ 4×100 relay place sixth at state last spring.
His aunt, the former Heather Havener, competed in the 200 and 4×400 at the 2000 state meet for Center Grove as a senior.
Fast steps to follow, but Wheat is ready.
“I just wanted to do the best I could this season,” Wheat said. “I definitely didn’t expect to be going to the state finals.”
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IHSAA State Finals
When: Friday, 3 p.m. (field events), 4:15 p.m. (4×800 relay), 5 p.m. (running trials), 6:15 p.m. (finals)
Where: Robert C. Haugh Complex, Indiana University
Admission: $10
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