BLOOMINGTON – Bedford North Lawrence’s Braydon Patterson qualified for the IHSAA state finals in the high jump while finishing third in the regional at Bloomington North on Thursday.
Patterson, who advanced to the state meet last year while winning sectional and regional titles, cleared 6-2. The top three in each event earned invitations to the state championships at Indiana University on June 1.
Patterson got a late start to the season after suffering a hip injury in March, and he didn’t start practicing until late April.
“He was on pitch count, only allowed to jump certain heights until two weeks ago,” BNL coach Brett Deckard said. “He was more comfortable today, he has his confidence back.”
BNL’s other regional competitors included the 3200-meter relay team of Jerett Gilbert, Nick Lindley, Jaymee Reed and Jonah Bailey (12th 8:36.11), Tripp Stahl (12th in the shot put at 46-4), and pole vaulters Frank Decker and Oliver Brown (no heights).
BNL finished 22nd in the team competition with 6 points. Bloomington North won the team crown with 153.
