First Crown

No better way to kick this off than to the one who won his first ever state title across all seasons after countless second and third place finishes at state competitions.

Riley Nixon (Ottawa Hills 2024), who also signed to compete for Indiana University - Purdue University, Indianapolis, did just that and also put on a show for not just SPIRE and those watching from home, but also in front of his family, who were rocking the green of Ottawa Hills from the top of the stands. 

As far as how the actual race played out, Nixon kept himself within striking distance of the front the entire race despite getting boxed in during the first 300m. Due to this, he ended up swinging wide on the first curve coming to the halfway point, where he settled into the Top-5 with not much separation between him and, leading at the time, Cernansky. Fast forward into the closing minutes, Nixon began to make his move with 500 meters to go, jumping from fifth all the way to second just before bell-lap, where he ended up taking the lead and really got to show his closing speed, going toe to toe with Cernansky until the final few meters.

His time of 4:15.46 from this race almost bested his personal best from last outdoor season, where he ran 4:14.42 at the OHSAA Division 3 State Championships.

With this performance, he has officially gone undefeated this season in the event.