Winner: Jacob Bolton

School: Dublin Coffman

“Larkin has always been one of my favorite track meets. My previous PR for the 32 was from that meet last year and it was incredible to improve on that further.”

Highlight: 

After steadily trending upward all spring, Jacob Bolton finally put it all together at the Larkin & Crosten Invitational, where he dropped a 9:17.99 to win the 3200 meters and take down a strong, competitive field. His time now ranks among the best in the Central Ohio region and solidifies him as a legitimate All-Ohio contender heading into the postseason.

The performance was more than just fast, it was tactically smart too. Bolton worked closely with fellow frontrunner Charles Rizek, with the two pushing each other lap after lap. “I don’t think either of us would’ve run the races that we did without the other,” Bolton said after the race.

Coming off a challenging cross-country season, this spring has served as a redemption arc for Bolton, one that now has him eyeing his first individual state berth on the track. With renewed confidence and momentum, he's suddenly looking like one of the most dangerous late-season risers in central Ohio.