By DAVID COOK
When it comes to winning long races, the runners from Mason High School had the market cornered.
Mason came away with state titles in both the boys’ and the girls’ 3200-meter runs at the Division 2 state track and field finals at Forest Hills Eastern High School.
For the girls, Mason sophomore Meg Darmofal dominated the competition, as she won the state title in a time of 10:49.49. Elena Miller of Bloomfield Hills Lahser finished second, more than nine seconds behind Darmofal.
In the boys’ race, Mason senior Tanner Hinkle ended a string of second-place finishes in big events by winning the state title with a time of 9:13.41, edging out Aaron Baumgarten of Williamston, who finished second in 9:17.83.
The title gave Mason a rare double-double in the longest race.
“I don’t know how many times that has happened, but it’s a special thing,” Hinkle said. “The last few years, we’ve been built a solid team culture in distance running, both the boys and the girls. Everyone has been working hard, and we have a good tradition of distance running.”
The win capped a solid career for Hinkle, who has been a big part of building Mason’s tradition in both track and cross country. The win also ended a string of frustrating second-place finishes in both sports.
“I finished second in the state at the cross country finals, and I also have finished second here at the state meet before,” said Hinkle, who is headed to Furman College in South Carolina to continue his track career. “I’ve been really close to winning a state title before. To finally get it is a dream come true.”
Darmofal was also determined to win a state title. “I was mentally stronger this year,” Darmofal said. “I was just so focused and determined this year. If you tell yourself you are going to win it, you are going to do it. It just feels awesome. Everything worked out. I took off with a lap left and it felt real good.”