Hartle rewrites record book

Plenty of praise has been heaped on Centennial runner Nick Hartle since his historic junior season on the track came to an end.

Bulldogs coach Roy Sessions has a perspective most haven't seen of Hartle.

"He's a historian of the sport already," Sessions said. "He tracks his competitors' races. It's about his desire to be a U.S. caliber runner and his training to follow up on that."

Hartle set Class 4A state meet records this season in the 800-meter run in 1 minute, 49.91 seconds and the 1,600 in 4:10.23. For his efforts, he has been named the Las Vegas Review-Journal's 4A Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

"I look at a lot of high school times and keep track in a notebook," Hartle said. "I keep track of how I match up with other guys. I really push hard to get to those top spots."

Hartle flashed his versatility at the state meet by taking fourth in the 400 in 49.27.

But the most memorable performance for Hartle came in the 1,600, when he edged Galena rival Bryan Jordan to break the state meet record of 4:13.8 set by Eldorado's Andre Woods in 1982.

And, yes, the historian of the sport knew the significance of what he had accomplished.

"It felt really special," Hartle said. "It hurt so much and Bryan pushed me so hard, so that one was more satisfying than the 800. We've competed against each other in the past, and we both love and respect the sport."

Hartle's time in the 1,600 is the No. 21 high school outdoor mark in the nation this season, according to track website DyeStat.com.

His monster track season came on the heels of claiming the state cross country individual title last fall, winning the 3.1-mile race in 16:28 while leading the Bulldogs to a state team title.

"He's got so much more to come," Sessions said. "He loves what he's doing. He's one of the kids out there training who is going to put track in Las Vegas on the map."

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.