Edinburgh’s Jackson Hartwell jumps through the air on his way to winning the long jump during the May 23 Greenfield-Central Regional.
The Republic file photo
When Edinburgh’s Paul Williams finished seventh in the state in the Mile in 1960, little did the Lancers know it would be another 64 years until they would have another state boys track qualifier.
The same might be said for South Decatur after it won a baseball sectional in 1976. Now, 48 years later, the Cougars have another sectional crown.
The two small Mid-Hoosier Conference schools are about to experience levels of the postseason that they haven’t seen in nearly a half-century or more. The Cougars will play in a baseball regional, and Edinburgh’s Jackson Hartwell will compete in the long jump at the Boys Track and Field State Finals on Saturday.
“I think everybody is Cloud 9 right now,” South Decatur baseball coach Anthony Jarvis said. “It was nice after the (Jac-Cen-Del) sectional championship, the warm welcoming we had with the parade and the reception at the school. During the game, we didn’t have an empty seat on our side. I think the community is happy. I’ve received so many phone calls the last few days, it’s just been remarkable.”
Hartwell, meanwhile, is no stranger to breaking longstanding records. As a freshman in 2022, he broke the Lancers’ long jump record that had stood since 1958.
After sitting out last track season, Hartwell, who also plays football and basketball, returned to the track this season. He broke his own school record in the Columbus North Sectional, then broke it two more times in winning last week’s Greenfield-Central Regional.
Hartwell’s best regional jump of 22 feet, 6 1/4 inches puts him as the No. 6 seed going into today’s state meet, which begins at 3 p.m. at Indiana University’s Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex. The top nine earn spots on the medals stand.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” Hartwell said. “I’m just hoping I can place like third. I’d be fine with third at state, especially being from Edinburgh. But I’m really trying to get first, though.”
South Decatur’s Devin Pate fires a pitch to the plate Thursday against Hauser May 8 at Hauser.
The Republic file photo
South Decatur (16-5) will play Indianapolis Lutheran (16-5) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Morristown. The winner advances to the semistate.
Senior Devin Pate (10-2, 0.96 ERA) and sophomore JP Scudder (5-0, 0.91) ERA have been rock-solid on the mound for the Cougars. Freshman Corey Nugent (.466, 14 RBIs) and senior Colby Rathburn (.406, 16 RBIs) have been the top hitters.
“I think we’re going to be able to compete,” Jarvis said. “I’ll be throwing Devin Pate, obviously, and he gives us a chance of pulling this thing out. Our defense has been pretty good. Our bats have been quiet the last three games. If our bats can come around, we’ll have a better chance.”
