BY DAN STICKRADT
CORRESPONDENT
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
HUDSONVILLE — Jacob Lee set some really high goals for himself this season this season and the Fenton senior achieved them.
Not only did he want to reach the podium with a top-eight finish at the Division 1 state finals, but he wanted to break the tape at the finish line with a state title.
On June 4 at Hudsonville High School, he did just that. Lee pulled away from the pack to win with a blistering 9:07.72 clocking. The effort ranks in the top 50 all-time in Michigan history and shattered the school record set by Chris Gilbert 39 years ago.
“My goal with as to try to come here and win it,” admitted Lee. “I was only 21st last season. I knew I could do much better. I trained so hard for this race and made my dream come true. It was really hot, but when I took the lead, hardly anyone went with me. I knew I had to finish strong because there are so many great distance runners in Michigan and I knew that they could catch me if I let up.”
Lee finished three seconds ahead of Rockford’s Isaac Harding in a race that saw all top-eight medalists dip under 9:15 and nine runners go under 9:20.
Lee was also undefeated in the 1,600 this season, posting a career-best of 4:22.99 at the Brighton Invitational back in May. He knew his meal ticket was the 3,200, so he concentrated on that event at the state meet.
He also qualified in the 3,200-meter relay, but pulled out and was replaced by a teammate so he could run the 3,200 fresh in the heat.
Lee also finished eighth in the 2-mile at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals June 18 in 9:16.76 — an event that is 18 meters longer than the 3,200.
Lee finished 19th at the D-1 cross country finals and 27th at the Footlocker Midwest meet. His career best in cross-country is 15:29.
Now, Lee will depart for the University of Michigan, where he will compete for the Wolverines in both cross country and track & field.
“I can’t wait to get to Michigan and train with all of those great runners and see what I can do,” said Lee. “It’s been a dream of mine to run in the Big Ten. I am grateful to have that chance and see all of the hard work has paid off.”