EUGENE – What does building a legacy mean to you? For Cottage Grove track star Carter Bengtson, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. After breaking the 31-year-standing Sky-Em district meet record — as well as his own school record set earlier this year — in the 3000m, Bengtson has the opportunity to further cement his legacy next weekend at state.
“It’s gonna be fun, like we have our core group of four guys in the distance. This is basically what the state meet will be,” Bengtson said. “It’ll be fun to see these guys again, but I think we’re gonna drop some more time at state.”
The group of four Bengtson is referring to consists of himself alongside Conor Thompson and Corbin Sage from Marist, as well as Jaxson Stovall from Marshfield High School. Each of the four boys finished within roughly five seconds of each other, with Sage barely edging out Bengtson by 0.34 seconds for first place in the 1500m.
“This league is tough. I mean, (today) was a simulation of the state meet. The best (distance) runners in the state are in this league. So yeah, it’s kind of an interesting preface for next week. It’s not going to be easy,” head coach Ricky Knutson siad.
Bengtson will compete in both the 1500 and 3000m at the 4A state championship at Hayward Field this weekend. He won’t be heading there alone though, as a multitude of Lions took care of business at districts.
Ella Cardwell placed second in both the girls 1500 and 3000m over the weekend — with a PR in the 3000m — sending her to state in each of those events as well.
CGHS YEARBOOK / PHOTO PROVIDED
Hayes Valley dominated the boys 110mH with a time of 15.39 seconds, giving him first place and sending him to state. He wasn’t done there though, as Valley placed second in the 300mH by just 0.09 seconds, sending him to state with a PR.
Micah Hanke finished second in the boys 800m, sending him to state as well with a time of 1:59.03.
On the field side of things, Rogelio Soto-Cruz will be competing in the boys shot put after coming in second at districts. Soto-Cruz will also compete alongside his fellow Lion, Clayton Dewitt in the boys discus despite finishing in third behind Dewitt.
Finally, Gavin Grogan and Lucas O’Hara also secured their spots at state, each coming in second in the boys triple jump and high jump, respectively.
“I think the kids will sit down next week and kind of look at goals for state. At that point, we’re trying to look ahead. So, I mean, we can see where the kids are ranked. But yeah, we have some pretty big aspirations for next week for some of those kids,” Knutson said.
