Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Brownstown Central’s Dustyn Kocsis throws the discus during the boys track and field regional Thursday at Bloomington North. Kocsis placed third and qualified for the state meet.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Brownstown Central’s Dustyn Kocsis throws the discus during the boys track and field regional Thursday at Bloomington North. Kocsis placed third and qualified for the state meet.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Seymour’s Jude Bane runs the 1600 during the boys track and field regional Thursday at Bloomington North.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Seymour’s Donovyn Thomas high jumps during the boys track and field regional Thursday at Bloomington North.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Seymour’s Jaylan Johnson, left, and Brownstown Central’s Garrett Driver run the 400-meter dash during the boys track and field regional Thursday at Bloomington North.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
Seymour’s Jaylan Johnson long jumps during the boys track and field regional Thursday at Bloomington North.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
BLOOMINGTON — Dustyn Kocsis didn’t think he had a good night at the boys track and field regional Thursday at Bloomington North.
As the lone boy from Jackson County to qualify for the state meet, the competitor that Kocsis is left him determined for more.
Kocsis had a throw of 153 feet, 10 inches in the discus to place third overall and qualify for the state meet next Saturday for the first time in his career.
“It could’ve been better,” he said. “I had a pretty rough night, but I’m glad I made it out to state.”
Kocsis believes if he had a better night, he would’ve had a chance to be the regional champion in discus. He also participated in the shot put, where he finished 12th with a throw of 45-9.5.
Kocsis got to regional his junior year and didn’t perform how he wanted to, so even though he saw room for improvement Thursday, Kocsis was still pleased to keep his season alive.
“It means a lot,” he said. “It’s really exciting, and I’m ready for it.”
With one meet left in his Brownstown career, the senior is setting his sights high on the Brownstown school record for discus.
“I’m going to try to break the school record,” he said. “It’s the last meet, so may as well try. I’m about 8 feet off right now.”
His best throw, he said, is 162 feet and a couple of inches.
“Little bit of everything,” he said on trying to break the record. “Just got to put it all together for one good throw.”
Other Braves who were in action at regional Thursday were Brayden Millick, who placed 12th in discus with a throw of 123-1. Isiaah Engle placed ninth in the 300 hurdles with a time of 42.94, Chance Ratliff was 14th in the 3200 with a time of 10:39.92, Garrett Driver was seventh in the 400 at 52.92 and the 4×400 team of Gregory Hutcheson, Lane Zike, Engle and Driver was 12th in 3:41.71.
For Seymour, the Owls came close in numerous events to qualifying but fell just short. The Owls’ 4×400 team of Michael Proffer, Logan Butler, Josh Rennekamp and Jaylan Johnson placed fourth in 3:32.38, which was a one second PR for them.
“It could not have gone any better,” Proffer said. “This is the best way it could have ended. I’m not upset about that. It’s disappointing, but everyone gave it their all.”
Proffer, who also ran cross-country, loved being a part of the 4×400 team this season even though he’s not necessarily a sprinter.
“It’s just really fun,” he said.
Proffer also ran the 4×800, where he, Carter Murphy, Ty Tormoehlen and Wes Proffer finished 11th with a time of 8:57.66.
The 4×100 team of Nikky Wheeler, Alex Schlatterer, Josh Rennekamp and Kyle Hileman placed 12th in 46.11, Wheeler was 12th in the 300 hurdles in 44.22, Jadrix Zumhingst placed 12th in pole vault with a vault of 10-0 and Johnson was sixth in the 400 in 52.86.
Jude Bane placed 10th in the 1600 with a time of 4:41.63 and eighth in the 3200 at 10:04.57. On the second lap of the two mile, the meet was delayed due to a lightning strike spotted in the sky. After about an hour delay, the 3200 was restarted, leaving long jump, high jump and the 4×400 relay as the three events still left to finish.
Donovyn Thomas was fourth in high jump at 6-2, Bryson Darlage was fifth in long jump (20-7.5) and Johnson was 16th in long jump (18-4).
The boys state track meet will be June 4, starting at 3 p.m.