Jake Bast (11), one of the top runners at OHS, has previously placed 21st and 18th in state. Unlike his past years Bast didn’t do his best at state this year because he wasn’t at “full strength”, according to Coach Mike Bishop.

Bast explains that his injury kept him out of running for about a month, leaving him not completely ready for state. Even with Bast placing 93rd at state this year he still enjoyed competing because he got to run against “the best of the best.”

“You can almost hear a pin drop it’s so quite [at the starting line of the state meet], “ Bast said about the state competition. “But as soon as the gun sounds and the race starts, the crowd goes crazy and gets really loud.”

Bast might have some competition for top runner at OHS. Freshman Melissa Brown joined Bast at state this year, which is a “good accomplishment”, Coach Bishop said. Bast accomplished this his freshman year as well.

Brown, placed 143rd at her first state meet.

“It feels good making it to state as a freshman,” Brown said.

When asked, Bast thinks that Brown is an “amazing runner and will do able great things next year.”

In response, Brown was asked about Bast.

“I think the team looks up to Bast,” Brown said. “He’s a really good runner and he is a great asset to the team.”