State Double Winners

Ackerman Runs To Class B Titles In 1600, 3200 During State Meet

Coming away from the state track meet with one championship is outstanding. Winning two titles is truly remarkable.

After earning first in the 1600-meter run on the first day of the meet, Wolf Point’s senior Zander Ackerman scored the title in the 3200-meter run at the Class B state meet in Laurel on Saturday, May 29.

“This is everything,” Ackerman said after finishing first in the 3200. “I really don’t know how to explain it.”

Ackerman’s winning time of 9:47.86 was a school record. The senior ran right behind Thompson Falls’ Justin Morgan the entire race until taking over during the final 300 meters.

“I stuck to the plan,” Ackerman said of the strategy.

Morgan was also Ackerman’s top competition when the Wolf Point runner earned the Class B state cross-country championship last fall.

“This is way more emotional,” Ackerman said of comparing the 3200 win to the cross-country title. “I love finishing it off like this here.”

In his win for the 1600 on Friday, Ackerman’s winning time was 4:31.02. St. Ignatius’ Andrew Rush placed second at 4:33.81.

Ackerman fell behind during the initial two laps of the 1600 before moving into the lead midway into the fourth lap.

“I didn’t panic,” he said.

Ackerman finished second in the 800 with a school record time of 1:58.90. Manhattan’s Wyatt Barney took first at 1:55.82.

Ackerman ends his high school career with school records in the 800, 1600 and 3200.

Peyton Summers enjoyed a strong meet for a freshman. He earned fifth-place honors in the 3200 with a time of 10:15.95. He finished seventh in the 1600.

Wolf Point’s boys scored 30 points for eighth place. Jefferson won the Class B state title with 62 points followed by Loyola-Sacred Heart with 48 and Manhattan with 45 points.