All-County team: Boys track

<p>Whiteland sophomore Will Jefferson is the rare athlete who makes running long distances almost look effortless.</p><p>Whether dominating a race or strategizing to improve his place, Jefferson rarely changes his facial expression. His appearance after pouring every ounce of effort into four or eight laps isn’t much different than before the race.</p><p>“Will is a very smart racer. He doesn’t get boxed in and runs with great efficiency,” Warriors track and field coach Brandon Bangel said. “He knows how to stay relaxed and still run fast.”</p><p>Jefferson is the Daily Journal’s boys track and field Athlete of the Year after dominating most 1,600- and 3,200-meter races this season. He made it to the state meet in the latter, placing 12th in a personal-best time of 9 minutes, 22.42 seconds.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>“I definitely think my speed has grown this season, and that really carried over to the two-mile race,” Jefferson said. “I was very pleased with the season I had.”</p><p>In April, Jefferson established a new low time for himself in the 1,600 at the Johnson County meet, winning on the Whiteland track in 4:28.67. He carried his momentum in the postseason, winning the 3,200 at the Columbus North Sectional and Warren Central Regional.</p><p>Bangel looks forward to witnessing Jefferson’s progress over the next two years.</p><p>“His freshman year he kind of surprised us by getting to state. This year he took another step,” Bangel said. “Will wants to be at the top of the podium at some point in his career. I know if he continues to improve, puts in the miles and keeps the right frame of mind, he’s going to have an opportunity.”</p><p>Jefferson’s goals for next spring include making it back to state, only this time running a 3,200 time of 9:10 or better and finishing in the top three. In the mile, he wants to get his times in the neighborhood of 4:17.</p><p>“For my junior year I really want to focus on my speed, which will mean more speed workouts,” Jefferson said. “For me, it’s a lot of 200s, 400s and maybe some 800s. I need to train a little bit faster.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="All-County team" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>The 2019 All-Johnson County team for boys track:</p><p>Logan Beers, Whiteland junior: Top thrower in the area, winning discus titles at both the Johnson County and Mid-State Conference meet … Qualified for regional meet, finishing fourth.</p><p>Connor Delp, Center Grove sophomore: Regional qualifier in four events (110 and 300 hurdles, 4×100 and 4×400 relays), reaching state with two relay teams … County champion in 300 hurdles.</p><p>Matt Frazier, Franklin senior: Placed 15th in the pole vault at the state meet after winning sectional and regional titles, the latter with a personal best of 14 feet, 1 inch … County runner-up in the event.</p><p>Sam Hohlt, Center Grove senior: Was the county’s lone state medalist, placing seventh in the 300 hurdles (39.11 seconds) … Also helped the Trojans to a 16th-place state finish in the 4×400 relay.</p><p>Will Jefferson, Whiteland sophomore: Finished 12th at state in the 3,200 meters with a personal best of 9:22.42 after winning sectional and regional titles … County and conference champ in 1,600 and 3,200.</p><p>Jake Keith, Center Grove senior: State qualifier in high jump and the 4×400 relay … Made regionals in those two events and the long jump … Johnson County champion in the high jump and 4×400.</p><p>Nate Line, Center Grove senior: Johnson County champion in pole vault placed 12th in that event at state meet, clearing 14 feet … Placed second at sectional and third at regional.</p><p>Lex Logan, Greenwood senior: County and sectional champion in the 400-meter dash, placing third at regional and 25th in the state … Helped Woodmen advance to regional in the 4×400 relay.</p><p>Gavin Matheson, Center Grove senior: Johnson County champion in the 100, 200 and 4×100 relay … Regional qualifier in all three events … Helped Trojans place 16th in 4×400 and 17th in 4×100 at state.</p><p>Nick Patton, Greenwood senior: County, conference and sectional champion in 110-meter hurdles before placing second at regional and 25th at state … Also ran on regional qualifier 4×400 relay.</p><p>Brandon Wheat, Center Grove freshman: Placed 10th at state, second at regional and first at sectional meet in 200 meters … Ran on county and sectional champion 4×100 relay that placed 17th at state.</p><p><span>Honorable mention</span></p><p>Tanner Allen, Greenwood; Andrew Bixler, Franklin; Gauge Creech, Franklin; Alec Given, Whiteland; Christian Gorham, Indian Creek; Drew Hargis, Franklin; Mika Long, Whiteland; Zach McCauley, Greenwood; Wyatt McCullough, Franklin; Sebastian Martin, Center Grove; Ethan Pheifer, Franklin; David Purdy, Franklin; Lucas Roehling, Center Grove; Peyton Ruble, Franklin; Clay Stambaugh, Center Grove; Carson Steele, Center Grove; Nick Willham, Greenwood; Nick Wilson, Center Grove</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]