Last year, Jorden Jole and Gavin Liggett were battling for position in the field; this year they could be battling for a state championship. Colorado Track XC file photo.
Some will argue that the 800 meters is the most grueling high school track and field event. Others will argue for the 300 hurdles. Truth is, it doesn't matter all that much. Pain sensation is largely subjective, and we can be certain that a well-run 800 hurts, and starts hurting long before the race is over. Those people you see charging down the finish straight of the 800 are masters at shutting out pain for an extra 12 - 15 seconds beyond what most people can endure. There are no easy wins in the 800.
So let's take a closer look at the masters of dealing with pain by classification:
Daniel Book and Devundrick Walker lead the pack of 16 returning guys under 2:00 (or 15, after you subtract out Clayson Shumway). And, Book and Walker had better be fast this spring, because Shane Rhodes, Blake ...