The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Oberlin’s Hudson has big goals
It was a big day for Oberlin’s Evan Hudson during the LC8 track and field meet May 11 at Firelands.
The junior not only swept all three of his running events in the 100, 200 and 400, but he also finished second in long jump after his best jump of the outdoor season.
Keystone’s Ryne Shackelford bested him in long jump, but with his hamstring injury continuing to nag, Hudson took advantage to beat him in the 100.
“I was a little nervous,” Hudson said. “With Ryne being hurt and all, he still ran great. That was the only one that I was a little skeptical about. But after I got out, I had it from there.
It helps a ton because we also trained together in the indoor season. It adds a good level of competitiveness, and we continue it out here.”
Hudson won the 100 with a time of 11.04 seconds, edging Shackelford’s 11.11. Shackelford was unable to qualify for the 200 finals after not participating in the prelims, and Hudson was able to win by a .71 second margin with a time of 22.17. Coming close to a PR in the 400, Hudson won it at time of 49.38 for a third victory.
“I came here ready,” Hudson said. “I knew it was going to be good weather. I like this track. With Ryne hurt, I had to capitalize on it. I wanted it, and I almost PR’d in the 400. It was a good day nonetheless, and I just want to carry it on to championship season.”
Championship season begins with the Division III district meet May 17 and 19 at Cuyahoga Heights. Hudson’s goal is to remain undefeated in the 400 this season, and he’s hoping to qualify for the state meet in the 200 and 400. After his 100 run at the conference championships, he’s feeling good about that event as well.
Although he won’t run it in the postseason, Hudson also won the 800 at the Vermilion Invitational as an experiment. That’s how versatile he is. He was also unsure after his conference meet if he would long jump in the postseason, but he got his best jump of the season at 21-2 in the conference meet.