By Blake Colston
Sports Editor
ARDMORE – Piedmont head coach Kelly Beck did the math.
The Wildcats produced the right numbers.
PHS dominated in the distance events and edged Ardmore, 96-94, to capture the school’s first-ever boys team track title.
All of Beck’s calculations leading up to the meet included Piedmont’s distance runners scoring big numbers. They accounted for well over half of the ‘Cats’ total points.
“We knew that was the key…this means a lot, especially for our seniors,” Beck said. “They’ve put in so much effort and their hearts and souls. This means so much for them.”
Senior Colby Ferbrache led the way, taking home gold medals in the 3200-meter run, the 1600-meter run and earned a gold medal as part of Piedmont’s 4×800 relay team.
“He’s looked good all year. I figured if we had a guy that (won multiple gold medals) it would be him,” Beck said.
Ferbrache, Dade Humes and Tanner Bailey finished 1-2-3 in the 3200 to account for 24 points. Ferbrache, Bailey and Landry Finch scored 21 more crucial points in the 1600.
“That helped us stave (Ardmore) off,” Beck said. “We needed that.”
Piedmont was fourth in the 4×400 relay thanks to a strong finish from senior Johnnie Jones‘ fast final leg. Jones also took fourth in the 400-meter sprint (49.93) while breaking Piedmont’s school record.
Reese Fricke was second in the 800-meter run, which added more eight points to the team tally.
In the end, it was enough to bring the state championship trophy back to Canadian County, providing a fitting end to a dominant season.
It also helped exorcise some past demons. Piedmont finished as runner-up to Ardmore last season. To add to that, Fricke, Bailey, Humes and Ferbrache were part of Piedmont’s runner-up cross country team in the fall.
“They had a bad taste in their mouth,” Beck said. “This made this season feel right. It was really the only way it could end.”
