St. Paul Academy senior Oliver Thompson looked up at the board and immediately pumped his fist in celebration as his time flashed at St. Michael-Albertville on Wednesday for the high school state track and field championships.

Yes, the senior secured a second-straight state title in the Class A boys 400-meter final. But he was just as excited about the time of 47.77 seconds.

“I’ve been stuck at 48 flat for a couple of races now,” Thompson noted. “I’m really excited to finally get 47.”

Who better to immediately celebrate the achievement with than your brother? Finishing eighth in the race was Langston Thompson, who came over to hug his big brother. It was a fitting moment given Langston’s impact on Oliver. The senior admitted he was worried coming into the season that he wouldn’t be consistent enough to sustain success.

But having his younger brother at his side to train and compete with was a useful aid. And knowing Langston is coming up the ranks also provided a little added motivation for Oliver on his way out the door.

“I’m hoping to set my time low,” he said, “so he can’t beat me.”

Work pays off

The summer track season following his freshman year proved to Da’Mari Smith that greatness could be on the horizon in the sport.

He realized it at the end of his sophomore campaign. The Twin Cities Academy sprinter won the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.01 seconds, edging United Clay-Becker’s Leif Shervey by four-hundredths.

“I think somewhere around the 20-meter mark, the dude who was in front of me, I caught up to him and it was like, ‘I got it,’” Smith said. “Very exciting. It’s my first state championship.”

It didn’t come easy — not on Wednesday, nor over the last year.

Smith noted “a lot of work” went into his training, with his coaches pushing him every step of the way in pursuit of Wednesday’s moment.

“And you got it,” one of his coaches said.

Sweep it

St. Paul Academy junior Elizabeth Tuttle’s goal was simple entering the spring — defend her 300-meter hurdle state title.

Of course, the 100-meter hurdle crown was also within reach. She placed second in the final a year ago. But injury prevented her from participating much in the race throughout the campaign. She’d run the 100 hurdles just twice all season entering the state meet.

And now she’s the champ.

Tuttle won with a time of 14.67 seconds. Truthfully, she was thankful she concluded it cleanly after stumbling in the prelim round the day prior. That’s what happens when you’re short on reps.

But Tuttle believes the lack of training for the 100 throughout the spring was a blessing in disguise. Instead, she focused on conditioning to best position herself for the 300 — which she also won Wednesday with a time of 43.22 seconds, a new personal record.

“My training from the 300 carried to the 100,” the Class A hurdle queen said. “More in shape, better times.”

From top 3 to victory

St. Agnes junior Evonson Plamann aimed for a top-three finish in the boys 200-meter dash final. A victory? Not even on the table. At least not until he came out of the blocks with a scintillating start.

Then all bets were off.

By the turn, Plamann knew anything was possible. Sure enough, he claimed the championship with a time of 21.96 seconds to edge the defending champ, Concordia Academy’s Judah Zinter.

“It was crazy,” Plamann said.

Especially considering he smashed his previous personal best of 22.15 seconds set … Tuesday, in prelims. Plamann found his best when it was required. It was the result of hard work put in all spring, with Saturday morning sessions of weight and parachute training.

“I was locked in. I wanted this spot,” he said. “I was just so happy (at the finish line). My dream came true.”

Relay champs

Gabbi Meloch sported a big smile the moment she crossed the finish line in the girls 4×100 relay, securing Concordia Academy’s state title.

Meloch, Emma Wasiloski, Anna Konsti and Elissa Bensus combined to win the title with a time of 48.97 seconds.

Class 2A

Simley’s Ayisat Adebayo placed second in the girls long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 4.75 inches. Mankato East’s Riley Hansen won the title with a jump of 19 feet, 1.75 inches.