Polk County indoor track coach Alan Peoples had a plan Thursday to help sophomore Evan Dadson qualify for next week’s state 2A/1A championship meet.

Dadson knocked almost four seconds off his personal best in the 3200 meters and secured a state berth in the event.

It’s been that kind of season for Peoples.

Polk County wrapped up its indoor track regular season on Thursday with another outstanding performance, this one coming in the 13th Annual WNC Polar Bear Championships in G.M. Tennant Stadium.

Polk County’s boys placed third in the 22-team field, just four points behind Asheville and a point and half behind Franklin. Forestview and Kings Mountain rounded out the top five.

The Polk girls placed sixth, with West Henderson, T.C. Roberson, Hendersonville, Franklin and Brevard claiming the top five spots in the 27-team field.

Dadson’s third-place run in 10:36.56 added one more qualifier to the group that will travel Feb. 9 to JDL Fast Track for the state indoor championships.

“It’s been an excellent indoor season for the kids,” Peoples said. “Both teams are seeded in the top 10 going into the state meet based on scores so far, and I think both have a shot to finish in the top 10.

“I think we’ve qualified more athletes higher in the top 10 than any time since I’ve been coaching. We’ve had other kids seeded number one, but not this many in the top seeds.”

The Wolverines had two event winners Thursday, with Holden Owens taking the shot put in 41-11 and Jake Justice winning the pole vault in 13-0.

– submitted by PolkSports.com