Butler snaps records at indoor state track and field meet
STATE COLLEGE — Drew Griffith and Butler’s distance medley relay broke records during the Pa. Indoor Track and Field Championships at Penn State University on Sunday.
Griffith won the state title in the mile by running the event in 4 minutes, 2:19 seconds. That time broke the former meet record of 4:04.59, set by Gary Martin of Archbishop Wood in 2022. It also snapped the all-time state indoor mile record of 4:02.23, also set by Wood in 2022.
“It was definitely a dream come true, just being able to come back here and win the mile for the second year in a row and also run a fast time in the process,” Griffith said. “Also, to win that DMR was really special. I’m really excited that we were able to come away with that win.”
The Golden Tornado’s distance medley relay, anchored by Griffith, won the state championship in 10 minutes, 16.56 seconds. That time broke the former school record of 10:19.37, set by Griffith, Lucas Slear, Ryder Kriley and CJ Singleton in 2022. It is also the fifth fastest high school indoor time in the United States this season.
Owen Dressler led off Butler’s DMR on Sunday, followed by Griffith Bauer, Zachary Slear and Griffith. The Tornado’s DMR was in seventh place when Griffith took the baton.
“It was kind of gradual,” Griffith explained. “I don’t think I passed anybody for the first 600 meters, probably. I just had to kind of tell myself, like, ‘They’re going to come back. I’ve just got to wait the time necessary.’ ... It was pretty crazy. It was super exciting, as well. The crowd was going nuts as I was slowly reeling everybody in.”
All four runners on that 2022 Butler DMR are currently at or will be running at Division I universities. Griffith is headed to Notre Dame while Slear is at Liberty, Kriley at Syracuse and Singleton at Notre Dame.
