Fantastic individual performances were plenty at the 2008 boys track and field state finals this past Saturday, May 31. But just as important, the Ben Davis squad racked up 67 total points to earn the school’s first ever state title in the sport by a healthy 22-point margin. The Giants, who went unbeaten on the season, were led by a couple of key wins and several top-3 performances. Junior Matthew Terrell captured the 200 (21.23 seconds) after being disqualified as the top seed in the 100. Ben Davis also got a win in the 400 relay behind Terrell’s anchor leg, preceded by Colin Hester, Rahpeal Williams and Lavarus Williams. Senior Brandon Newbern finished second in both the 110 and 300 hurdles. Perhaps the most impressive individual performance, among many, came from the feet of Fishers junior Drew Shields, who led the Tigers to a fourth place finish as a team. Shields became the first runner in 60 years to win both the 800 and 1,600, while also moving the Tigers from sixth to second with his anchor leg of the 3,200 relay. Well-chronicled throwers Bob Belden of Decatur Central and Brandon Pounds of Lawrence North did as expected by capturing the discus and shot put, respectively. Belden threw 185 feet, 8 inches to win by more than five feet, thus making it three state discus state champs for the Hawks. Pounds, who broke the shot put state record at regionals, fell just short of that mark but still came away with a title after his final throw reached 63 feet, 9 inches. Of note, Noblesville senior Tyler Hiatt finished third in both throwing events to cap off a fine career. Warren Central had a fine day as well, with the Warriors placing third as a team behind fine performances from high jumper Derrick Spight and hurdler D’Juan Richardson. Spight, a junior, leapt 6 feet, 11 inches to tie the school record and win the title, with one more year to surpass his goal of a 7-foot jump. Richardson ran away with both hurdle events, the 110 and 300, while also leaving the meet with the prestigious Mental Attitude Award. With a fine season now complete, you can check out the full state meet results by visiting ihsaa.org.