Boys 800m Regional Rankings

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Boys 800m Regional Rankings

Note: These rankings are based on how we believe the event will go at the regional meet, not currently. We also ranked athletes in the event(s) we believe they will compete in. For example, some athletes may double (or triple) meaning they won’t be fresh for certain events.

Owen Towler: While it’s no surprise to see the indoor state champion ranked at the top, it is surprising that his season best is only 2:00. He’s also only run 4:24 this season, despite posting a blazing 4:14 at last year’s OCC Championships. But enough of the negatives—Towler is the most experienced 800m runner in the field and has consistently shown dominance in this event. He was last year’s district and regional champion, this year’s indoor state champion, and we believe he’ll reclaim the title outdoors.
Jayden Beverly: Beverly has taken a similar approach to Towler this season, racing the 800m sparingly. However, he’s run sub-51 in the open 400m all four times he’s contested it and is undefeated in his two 800m races this season. Last year, Beverly peaked at the perfect time, clocking a PR of 1:53 and finishing 3rd at regionals. We expect the junior to continue his postseason success and contend at both regionals and states.
Gabe Wise: Another member of the "Big 3," Wise is having a breakout season of his own. He made waves at the Wayne Invite with a 1:54 performance that currently ranks him second in the region. In fact, Wise holds the fastest season time among the athletes on this list, as we project region leader Matthew Schroff won’t compete in this event. Expect Wise to be a frontrunner with a serious shot at the regional title.
Ty Munroe: Like his Olentangy teammate Braydon Nix, who we covered in the 1600m rankings, Munroe is in the midst of a massive breakout year. Last season, his year ended in the district prelims of the 400m. This season, we expect him to be a serious contender for a state berth in the 800m. His PR of 1:55 currently ranks fourth in the region.
Gabe McNeil: McNeil is a rare type of high school 800m runner—he specializes in the 400m and 800m without racing up to the mile. While this profile is more common in college and pro levels, it seems to be working well for McNeil, who’s already gone sub-50 in the open 400m and holds the third-fastest 800m time in the region (1:54 from Wayne). Just a sophomore, McNeil is enjoying a phenomenal breakout season and is a name to watch not just this year, but in the seasons to come.
Dylan Winters: Speaking of breakout seasons, look no further than Dylan Winters, a senior from Reynoldsburg. He’s only raced the 800m once outdoors—winning at New Albany in 1:58—but he clocked 1:55 during the indoor season and placed third at the state meet. Like McNeil, Winters also races the 400m, 200m, and even the 100m. He’ll be one to watch at regionals and should be in the mix for a state spot.
Evan Graessle: Graessle, a senior from Saint Charles, is a near mirror image of Winters. Both are seniors with 1:55 PRs from the indoor state meet, where Graessle placed third in Division II. Like Winters, he’s only raced the 800m once outdoors—winning in 1:58—and has focused on shorter events like the 400m and 200m. Expect him to be firmly in the conversation for a trip to Jesse Owens.
Brock Jarrett: Rounding out our list is Brock Jarrett, giving Lancaster a second athlete in our top eight. We expect Jarrett to be doubling back from the 1600m, meaning he may be more fatigued than others. Still, he’s a high-level athlete with a 1:55 season best and is more than capable of qualifying for state in both events—something rare, but not unheard of.