Summers Brings Home State Titles In 1600, 3200

Minutes before his high school graduation on Sunday, May 26, Wolf Point’s Peyton Summers was pleased that his attire was a little different than his fellow graduates. Around his neck, he was proudly wearing the medals he earned at that weekend’s Class B state track meet.

Summers, a senior, ran to state championships in both the 1600-meter and 3200-meter runs during the meet in Laurel.

He noted that he it’s a challenge realizing that his accomplishments were real. “It was crazy,” Summers said. “I’ve got all these awards around my neck. I’ve got to process it.”

Summers said the 1600 on Friday, May 23, was the toughest of his championship races. He ran a school record and personal best of 4:21.06 to edge Jefferson’s Luke Mest, who had a time of 4:21.93. Summers was seeded fourth heading into the race.

“I had to get a seven second PR to get the race,” Summers said. “The last 100 meters we were neck to neck.”

During the final few meters of the run, Summers happily raised the number one sign with his fingers to celebrate. “I knew I had it. It just came naturally,” he said.

He noted that it was the first time all season that the Wolf Point standout ran the 1600 without running another race earlier in the day.

“I never ran fresh all year,” Summers noted.

The following day, Summers finished first in the 3200 with a time of 9:37.39. Jefferson’s Mest placed second at 9:38.96.

“I’ve been running the 3200 great all year, consistently,” Summers said.

For the first time in his career, Summers placed at the state meet in the 800-meter run. Summers took third at 1:59.63. Glasgow’s Kyler Holinde finished first with a personal best time of 1:57.54.

“Getting All-State in the 800 for the first time was great,” Summers said.

He explained that his cross country championship last fall is still his favorite running accomplishment.

“It was my first ever title,” Summers said. “You have everybody at state cross country. You get everybody’s best shot.”

Summers expects to compete in various runs this summer as he prepares to start his collegiate career at Dawson Community College. He won’t be taking any time off to relax.

“Day one starts tomorrow,” Summers said on Sunday.