Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
Cardinal Stritch senior King Wilson Jr. dominated the competition across the state the past two days at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University, claiming Division V state championships in both the 200-meter and 400-meter races.
“It's not really processing yet, but I know that it will hit me later because it was the last two events of my high school career,” Wilson said. All I could do was just take it in. It's a blessing. Thank you to my coaches, to my family, to everybody who supported me.”
After starting Thursday in tough fashion by faulting in each of his three attempts in the long jump, Wilson responded by finishing first in both of the prelims for the 200 and 400 races.
“It was a complete rebound with focus and attention to detail,” Stritch head coach Chris Lau said. “One earlier misstep in the long jump was not going to define him as a person, as a human, as an athlete, as a runner. It was an opportunity. It was a way for us to look and see, ‘Okay, that did not go as planned. Let's not dwell on that. Let's move forward.’
“He knew we as coaches were with him the entire way. He knew, with his faith, that God was with him at all times, and I shared with him that God would never abandon him, ever. And so, we took that. We took that and said, you know what? Let's move on. Let's refocus and get ready.”
Entering Friday, Wilson said his preparation remained consistent.
In doing so, Wilson first won the 400-meter race in 48.68, which topped Ada’s Kayleb Hickman, who finished in 49.45.
A short time later, Wilson won the 200-meter in very close fashion with his 22.11 edging out Montpelier’s Braylon Hopper, who finished in 22.15.
“I just went in with a dominant mindset and continued to do the techniques I did all season,” Wilson said. “It means a lot, man. I'm going to be forever etched in the hallways at Cardinal Stritch.”
Wilson became Stritch’s first 400 meter state champion since Brandon Toler in 2001.
“I would say it was a dream come true,” Lau said. “It was a fulfillment of all the work, dedication, and effort put in. It was the happiest moment as a coach in my entire life. I've never been prouder of another athlete, ever.”
