Dillon Hodge is shown at the start of the 3200m run. He won the state event with a time of 10:20.73, almost four seconds faster than runner-up Alex Gilliland of Oneonta.

Sophomore Dillon Hodge won the state Class 4A 3200m track championship last weekend, leading the Ashville Bulldogs’ team to a 15th place overall showing.

Hodge finished the race with a time of 10:20.73 and came in third in the 1600m run with a time of 4:41.28.  It was his second appearance in the state track meet, having finished as a runner-up in the events last year.  He also finished second in the state cross-country competition earlier this season.

“I thought Dillon had a real good shot,” said coach Tony Johnson.  “He was edged out for third after a photo finish in the 1600m, and in the 3200m, he ran his best time and beat the runner he finished second to in cross country.”

Dillon is the son of David Hodge and was the only Ashville track athlete to finish among the top 10 in an event, although eight others also qualified for the state meet.  Miranda Greer, after winning the event at sectionals, finished the state meet with a showing of 12’2” in the long jump, and Zac McFarland competed in the javelin event with a best distance of 125’2”. 

The team of Anika Bothwell, Rochelle Landry, Jamie Collier, and Anna Montgomery ran the 4x400m relay in a time of 4:48.57, and the 4×800 relay team of Miss Montgomery, Miss Landry, Cassie Sanders, and Whitney Bryant finished in 11:54.

“Zac had good throws, Miranda had good jumps, and both relay teams finished a few seconds faster than they did at sectionals,” Johnson said.  “When you do better than you did the last time, that’s all anybody can ask.”

Bridgette Lindsey served as Ashville’s assistant track coach this year.