BISMARCK -- Matt Loehr ran a personal record and his first sub-50 second time in the 400 on Saturday. Still, it was only good enough for third place in the North Dakota Class A boys state track meet.
First place went to Minot's Donte Smart. The senior set a state overall record with a time of 47.88 seconds and added to the dominance that the West Region showed in this state meet.
Bismarck romped to the team title, scoring 185 points to win its seventh consecutive championship. Rounding out the top five were Bismarck Century (99), West Fargo (67), Dickinson (66), Fargo South (62) and Minot (62). Red River and Grand Forks Central were next with 52 and 31 points, respectively.
"You just have to do the best you can," said Loehr, who ran a 49.79 in the 400 and also finished seventh in the 200. "You know the West is tough -- every year I've been running, they've been the powerhouse. But it's fun competition. We've been trying to figure out how to catch up to them.
"I'm really happy with my time. State brings PRs out in everyone."
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How much did the West dominate?
Of the 19 events, 15 were won by West Region teams. The only East Region champions were by South's 4x100 and 4x200 relays on Saturday and, on Friday, Red River's Elby Pope in the long jump and South's Brock Larson in the pole vault.
The West had three individual double winners in John Welk of Bismarck St. Mary's (100 and 200), Brandon Barnes of Bismarck (800 and 1,600) and Dickinson's Nathan Magstadt (110 hurdles and 300 hurdles). Bismarck schools alone won nine events, five of those by Bismarck High.
"Track has more of a tradition in the west," veteran Red River coach Bob Zimney said. "They're good; give them credit. It starts with Bismarck High. They are impressive."
Grand Forks' top performer Saturday was Red River's Jimmy Evers. The sophomore placed second in the 110 hurdles.
"In the west, it seems like track is the bigger sport," Evers said. "You keep working hard because you want to beat them really bad.
"But I'm definitely happy with second. At the start of the year, I was thinking I could make state, but I didn't know about making the finals. Next year will be fun. Hopefully I can win then."
Grand Forks Central's top individual Saturday was Ger Schmidt. The senior placed fourth in the 300 hurdles and sixth in the 110s.
