STATE TRACK: Perkins in running for top of podium

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins boys track coach Shane Burrows has a simple message for his team as it prepares for this weekend's state track meet: Get on the podium. The Pirates are sending 13 qualifiers to the Division II state meet, more than any other boys team, so their quest for a third state team championship is legitimate. Perkins will be represented in eight events at Pickerington North High School on Friday and Saturday. "That one point or two points could be the difference in the meet," said Burrows. "You gotta perform for two days. You gotta be ready to go. "They're focused. Our high expectations here aren't going to change. You compete to be first. One through eight get points and they get a medal. Get on the podium. The higher you go, the better we'll be." Perkins won state team titles in 1984 and 2008 and was runner-up in 1997 and 2004. Burrows is pushing hydration because the temperature at the state meet might be 40 degrees warmer than last week. "I probably buy five-to-10 32-packs of water per week," he said. "It's key for muscles, digestion, rehab and recovery." If their relays score points in bunches, the Pirates have a shot to add another big trophy. Perkins' 4x100 relay is seeded first heading into Friday's preliminary heats. Collin Kukay, Chris Campbell, Collin Nemitz and Kyle Knupke covered one lap in 43.48 seconds to win a regional title at last Saturday's chilly meet in Lexington. Knupke, who anchors the relay, is a senior who hadn't run track since middle school. An injury opened up a spot and Campbell put on his recruiting hat. "Kyle's always been fast since we were at Meadowlawn. He was the first person I asked," said Campbell, who will continue his track & field career at the University of Findlay, along with Perkins teammate Zane Rohrbacher. "He came out and did exactly what I thought he would do." One sprinter who did more than what was expected is junior Collin Kukay, who runs on three of the state relays (4x100, 4x200, 4x400). Kukay qualified for the state indoor meet as a hurdler and was working on that event when his speed caught Burrows' eye. "The hurdles went away when we started doing starts out here (earlier this spring) and he whipped everyone's tail," Burrows said. "We were like, 'Who the heck is this?' When we put him in the 100 in the first meet and he beat Chris and Kyle Knupke, I was like, 'Whoa.' " Kukay beat Campbell in the 100 meters at the Bellevue Invitational and was named meet MVP. He said he spent last year's lost COVID season working out and getting ready to run hurdles. "I was preparing for hurdles and ended up in all these relays," Kukay said. "It's a busy schedule. An injury pushed me toward sprinting and here I am." Campbell welcomed another serious sprinter. "Once we all saw how fast we were, we were like, 'Alright, I think we've got something special here,' especially when (Kukay) beat us. "I'm not used to losing to these guys. When he came out and beat me this year it was kind of a surprise, but it helped us out in the long run." Campbell said the chemistry on the 4x100 relay gives the Pirates an edge. "We have a strong connection. Coach made a comment the other day that this is the nicest 4x100 relay he's ever had. We all just get along and work together very well." The Pirates' 4x200 relay (Nemitz, Lamar Everett, Kukay, Campbell) is seeded fourth while the 4x400 (eighth) and 4x800 (12th) will have to drop some serious time to score points. Rohrbacher, who holds the school record in the pole vault at 14 feet, 11 inches, could score points. Weight men Tyler Yingling and Daniel Zirkle would need to uncork big throws to finish eighth or better. "I think we can score 30-to-40 points, but we have to have kids step up and other kids do what they're supposed to do," Burrows said. Campbell and Nemitz are among 15 long jumpers who cleared 21 feet or more at the regional level. Campbell was the state indoor long jump champion and would like to finish his high school career on a high note. "I don't think I could end it any better than being on top of the podium," he said. ----- Perkins' boys track & field state qualifiers Bryce Bodle (4x800) Chris Campbell (4x100, 4x200, long jump) Colin Ellis (4x400, 4x800) Lamar Everett (4x200) Kyle Knupke (4x100) Collin Kukay (4x100, 4x200, 4x400) Owen Murphy (4x400, 4x800) Collin Nemitz (4x100, 4x200, long jump) Jon Normington-Slay (4x400) Zane Rohrbacher (pole vault) Alex Schock (4x800) Tyler Yingling (discus, shot put) Daniel Zirkle (discus, shot put)