NTL TRACK & FIELD: TROY'S HAGIN FINISHES 5TH AT STATES (2021-05-28)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
SHIPPENSBURG — Any day with a state medal around your neck is a good day, but Troy’s Dustin Hagin had his sights set a little higher. Still, as a junior he finished fifth in the 110 hurdles during the PIAA, Class AA Track and Field Championships Friday.

“It feels really good…really, really good,” said Hagin. “It’s not necessarily what I wanted, but I’ll definitely take it. It’s a real big accomplishment.”

He came into the championships the fourth seed, and wanted a top three finish overall, starting the day by finishing second in his preliminaries to advance to the finals, running 15.35, the fourth fastest times in the prelims.

He led from the gun in the prelims, but became acquainted with a college hurdle the hard way on the last row.

“I was pulling through, and I hit it with my knee pretty darn hard,” said Hagin. “It really threw me off balance, but I managed to it to the finish line.”

He came in second, but easily qualified for the finals, taking lane two.

Running in an outside lane can be tough, but the top runner in the state - Southern Columbia’s Jake Rose - was just lanes over.

“I wanted to try, and keep up with the people in the middle, especially Jake,” said Hagin.

He ran slightly ahead of his group of runners to the left of Rose - who pulled away to win in 14.10. At the end, though, Punxsutawney’s Tyler Elliott pulled ahead to edge him out by .08 to take fourth.

“It definitely wasn’t my best race that I’ve had,” said Hagin. “But it’s been a good season.”

It’s safe to say he leaves Shippensburg happy, but not satisfied, as he looks to work his way up the podium.

Generating more speed with be a point of emphasis this off season for Hagin.

“That’s been one of my problems,” he remarked. “I haven’t necessarily had technical problems, but my hurdling is more having the speed to stay with the best of the best.”

That top three finish is still goal - but not the final goal.

“Top three,” said Hagin, then he paused. “Maybe top two.”

CUTLINE: Troy’s Dustin Hagin clears a hurdle during the finals of the 110 hurdles Friday...PHOTOS BY CHRIS MANNING.