JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Kain Ellis had been dreaming about this moment for a long time.
The Benton senior finally captured his state track gold medal with a come-from-behind victory in the Class 3 1,600-meter run Friday at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
Ellis set a PR and a school record with his 4:23.12, and he edged pass St. Charles West senior Sheldon Keence in the final 10 meters.
“That last 300 I said, ‘I can’t let this go; I can’t let them outkick me,’” Ellis said. “I used every ounce I had to chase them down that home stretch.
“The pace started off pretty slow. I’m more of a kicker at the end, so I just waited and knew that was my ace in the hole to win it.”
Ellis surpassed the old school record by nearly a second, and his previous best time was his Class 3 runner-up finish last year in 4:24.78. He had only dipped under 4:30 once this season when he won his conference meet.