Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
So much for 67 years worth of records.
In the past week, Lake senior Luke Steep broke two school records in the 1,600 meters (4:26.24) — at the Otsego Tim Downey Invitational — and the 3,200 (9:59.61) at a tri meet with Rossford and Otsego.
Steep's time in the 1,600 beat Marc Quigg's record of 4:27.95 by less than two seconds, which had stood for 30 years, and his 9:59.61time in the 3200 was just over three seconds faster than Al Adams' time of 10:02.96, which stood for 37 years.
Steep, who also runs cross country and was part of the indoor track circuit, is hoping to repeat as champion in the 1,600 at the Northern Buckeye Conference Championship. He's also hoping to get to Dayton for the Division II state meet and would like to run among the best the nation has to offer following his time in high school.
It's been quite a journey for Steep to get to this point.
"I've been running since I was in elementary school,” Steep said. “At Lake, we have a biddy program called Young Runners Club. I started it in third grade and did it through sixth grade. I also ran in YMCA leagues here and there during that time as well. I've also run road races with my dad since then.
"Through middle school and the early parts of high school, I played football, hockey and ran track. I also ran cross country in eighth grade. It was midway through my sophomore season of track that I made the decision to run distance full time, year-round. In my junior year, I chose to do cross country instead of football, and it was a great choice as it has developed me into the runner I am today. I also stopped doing hockey as a junior and started going to indoor meets throughout the offseason to truly get ready for outdoor season."
Steep hasn't had much time to reflect on setting the record in the 3,200, but he did talk about breaking the record in the 1,600.
"It was a testament to all of my hard work these last two-and-a-half years,” he said. “It represents everything I stand for, that being my faith, my family, and all who have stood along my side during the journey. My mindset going forward is to cherish every moment I have in this one, final season and give it my all until the end.
"My goals are to win the 1,600 at the NBC Championship, be a district champion in the 1,600, qualify again for regionals, be a state qualifier, and be a national qualifier in the 1,600 (by getting a time under 4:23)."
If his times in the 1,600 and 3,200 continue to drop, he'll have a legitimate shot at getting to Dayton, but it's a grind.
Lake coach Jason Schober talked about what it's been like coaching Steep, whose father, Ross, is the throws coach on the team.
"(Luke) has worked extremely hard the last two years,” Schober said. “He set some pretty lofty goals, and has done an amazing job chasing them down. He bought into getting stronger in the offseason. He is also a great kid. It's been awesome coaching him. His father and I graduated from Lake in 1997, so we have been friends a long time. (It makes) seeing what Luke is doing even more special.
"I'm just proud to be able to coach these kids and I am very fortunate to have the assistant coaches and the volunteers I have."
