During the 2011 West Virginia State Track Meet, then Sophomore Jacob Burcham of Cabell Midland High School, ran an impressive triple with a 1:54.01 in the 800 meter run, a 4:08.80 in the 1600 meter run, and a 9:11.29 in the 3200 meter run. He finished his final 400 meters in 57 seconds. At that time, both the 1600 meter run and the 3200 meter runs were PR's for Burcham. Jacob later went on to the IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France. He placed an amazing 7th among the international competitors in the 1500 meter run with a smoking time of 3:46.55! That's equivalent to a 4:04 mile!
Jacob Burcham's record setting 3200m - Rollie Jacobs Photo
On Friday at the 2012 West Virginia State Meet, Burcham scorched the field to break his own AAA 3200 meter meet record by more than thirteen seconds and a 29-year old record for all classes in 8:57.73. The previous State Meet All Time Best was held by Steve Taylor of St. Marys High School in 9:09.70 back in 1983.
Burcham led the sixteen man field from start to finish. His split lap times were as follows: 1:05; 2:14; 3:21; 4:31; 5:39; 6:48; 7:56; 8:57.73. Eric Graf of Jefferson HS was second in 9:22.1, Nick Trefz of Fairmont Senior HS was third in 9:25.4, Avery Campbell of Cabell Midland HS was fourth in 9:25.7, Tyler Salmons of Cabell Midland HS was fifth in 9:26.15, and Joe Kirtner of Winfield HS rounded out the top six in 9:26.63.
Jacob Burcham in a familiar position - Lance McDaniel photo
On Saturday, Bucham won the 1600 meter run in 4:08.91 - just missing his last year meet record by only eleven-hundredths of a second. Joe Kirtner of Winfield HS was the only runner who tried to challenge Burcham by running on his heels for two and a half laps before falling off pace. The blazing pace that Kirtner had to sustain made for some dead legs down the home stretch, which allowed Eric Graf of Jefferson HS to gun down Kirtner at the finish line. Graf did the infamous dive of former teammate Brandon Doughty for a photo finish. Eric Graf placed second in 4:17.73, while Kirtner placed third in 4:17.76. Jefferson teammates Ryan Graf placed fourth in 4:21.9 and Andrew Milliron placed fifth in 4:22.33. Jordan Brown-Stobbe of University HS placed a close sixth in 4:22.89.
Four hours later, Burcham won the 800 meter run in 1:54.01, which tied his own meet record. Nick Bauer of Martinsburg HS placed second in 1:56.01, Brian Lawhon of Cabell Midland HS placed third in 1:56.94, Joe Kirtner of Winfield HS placed fourth in 1:57.53, Eric Graf of Jefferson HS placed fifth in 1:58.48, and Mason Dino of Cabell Midland HS placed sixth in 1:58.5.
Burcham was supposed to run the 4x400 meter relay, but his Knights false started as the gun went off to put an end to their 2012 track season.
In the Class AAA Boys individual high point standings: Cam Viney of Elkins HS placed first with thirty-eight points, Jacob Burcham placed second with thirty points, and Dante Price of Jefferson HS placed third with twenty-five points.
WV Runners would like to congratulate Jacob Burcham for his impressive triple two years in a row in the distance events, for the amazing record he broke in the 3200 meter run, and for tying his own record in the 800 meter run! I'm sure his fans can't wait to see how he is going to top this!
