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SPORTS
Burcham sets national record
Jacob Burcham is met with friends after he set the national record for middle school track and field in the 1600 meter run. He ran a 4:38.10.
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ONA — Barboursville’s Jacob Burcham isn’t just the best track and field distance runner at the middle school level in the state. He has the distinct honor of being the best in the entire nation.
Burcham’s performance on Thursday at Cabell Midland in the Pirate Relays will be talked about for some time. The crowd was treated to a rare performance in middle school competition, as they watched a national record be set in the 1,600 meters.
From the start of the race, Burcham darted in front of the pack and built an overwhelming lead.
Burcham wasn’t competing against the other runners; he was literally in a race against himself.
Burcham pushed himself to the ultimate brink and crossed the finish line in a stunning 4:38.10. His closest competitor was more than 25 seconds behind his sizzling pace.
“Getting the national record proves to me that if you work hard you can accomplish anything,” Burcham said. “Sports-wise this is the best thing I’ve ever accomplished.”
Athletic.net is a national track and field Website that provides rankings for middle school and high school. The Website lists the top times this season ran in the 1,500 instead of the 1,600. The top time ran in the 1,500 this year is 4:48.6. Burcham ran nearly 10 seconds faster, despite running an extra 100 meters.
The top time listed on the Website in the 800 meters is 2:15.6. Burcham also holds the national record this season in this event with a stellar time of 2:05.50.
“The wonderful thing about coaching Jacob is his tremendous work ethic, and you’re not going to find an athlete as smart or as special,” Barboursville Middle School coach Pat Riley said. “This just adds to the excitement of track and field in West Virginia.”
Indeed, Burcham’s work ethic is second to none. He runs 40 miles a week in addition to playing traveling team soccer during track season. He also played quarterback on the football team for Barboursville and was a member of the basketball team.
“We’re really proud of him and he deserves it because he works so hard,” said Mike Burcham, Jacob’s father. “He was able to run this well even though he played four soccer games this week and had a hip flexor.”
Burcham also established a new school record in the 3,200 this year with a time of 10:31.70. Another incredible feat for Burcham was winning the 3K Foot Locker Cross Country Regionals in Charlotte, N.C.
Besides establishing the new record in the 1,600 at the Pirate Relays, Burcham also ran the anchor leg of Barboursville’s winning 4x800 relay team that crossed the line in 9:29.54. That was 19 seconds faster than the closest team.
Cabell Midland High School coach and Pirate Relay race director Chris Parsons wore a bright smile on his face, as he watched his future runner charge around the track en route to his national record.
“I’m very excited for Jacob Burcham to attend Cabell Midland next season and run for our program,” Parsons said. “His times would be ranked at the high school level right now, and that’s pretty phenomenal.”
