Above: Watch the Lewisburg Boys and Shikellamy boys battle in the 4x800m.
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WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - In North-Central PA, the 4x800m is an athlete and fan-favorite event. At the District 4 Championship, the 4x800m relay is the stand-alone distance event held on Thursday Night (Day 1). This year, and like many years before, the boys' 3A Championship race did not disappoint.
The Lewisburg boys took home the win in a blistering new PA No. 1 time of 7:48.30, chased closely by Shikellamy, who ran 7:51.58. Shikellamy ran a new PA No. 2 at that time.
Kieran Murray opened with a 1:59.49 for Lewisburg before handing off to Micah Zook, who kept Lewisburg in contention with a 2:01 leg. Jonathan Hess received the baton next and dropped a stout 1:55.7. Then anchor, Thomas Hess, closed out with a 1:51.95 anchor leg.
For perspective - Thomas Hess' leg would rank as the current state lead amongst open times.
And he practically ran the race on one leg. Due to a nagging upper leg injury, Thomas Hess was questionable to race and has trained in a limited fashion. He will return to race the 800m on Saturday with the intent of doubling in the 800m and 4x800m at states next week.
Lewisburg's school record is still 7:44.44. In 2004 - the squad ran that incredible time to win the 2A State Championship and, in doing so - set the 2A State Meet Record.