INDIANAPOLIS - Competing with some of the best in the state in any sport, everyone wants to do their best. In doing so, athletes visualize and try to get themselves in a good place mentally. Along with that, every athlete knows there will be good days and some days that just don't work out. For LaVille's Michael Good and Lincoln Hulsey, both understand by using a principle by Stephen Covey that life is, "ten percent of what happens to you and ninety percent how you react." Saturday's 120th IHSAA Boys Track and Field state championships at Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN., ended up being held in the rain, wind, and sometimes miserable conditions. A total of 13 events were held outdoors in moderate to heavy precipitation while high jump, long jump and pole vault moved indoors to Gladstein FieldHouse, just west of Haugh Complex. For those that were competed indoors, it helped assure athletes were kept safer than than those outdoors in the soggy, windy conditions. As for the remainder of the competitors in the elements, there was some necessary adjustments and extra focus needed. There were some slips, falls on the track, along with some scratches and wet implements in the discus and shot put. Nonetheless, each athlete did their best to fight through. Good and Hulsey both started the day with 27 total competitors in their respective event. The 6-foot, 3-inch Good was at the discus ring and battling the elements right along with everyone else. After the first flight of 13 throwers finished up, Good joined the final 14 in hopes of making it to the field of top 10, plus any ties. His first two throws were unsuccessful before getting off a toss of 139'-3" on his final attempt. Not what he wanted, but pushed through the situation with a little help from assistant coach Isaac Eash. "Grip was a big factor in my throws," Good said honestly. "But no excuses, everyone went through the same conditions. I struggled most of the weekend to find my groove. "It’s been a great month, lots of wins, and made some history as well. I’m grateful for my accomplishments. I thank my coaches for taking care of me this weekend, especially Isaac, keeping my head in the right space and that goes for the whole year. Couldn’t have done any of this without him by my side." He ended up finishing 23rd in the discus. Something to be proud of for sure! Good also broke a discus record, then did it two more times during the season to add his name to the school record board outside of Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. Add to that a Hoosier North championship, sectional championship, regional championship and among Indiana's best in 2024. Pretty good stuff after sitting out his junior season to rest his shoulders and hit the weight room to pick up 25 pounds of muscle. "It was a great run," acknowledged Good. "I had a lot of fun and it was a great experience down at state no matter the outcome. I’m excited for the next step." Hulsey was making his third consecutive run to the state title. He finished third in 2023 and returned for a chance at the ultimate prize - a state championship. The opening bar height was 13' at the pole vault. Hulsey passes before entering the competition at 14'. After an initial miss at 14', the Lancer vaulter cleared the next two heights and advanced to the top 15 as the bar climbed to 15'. With his successful attempt at 15', the bar increased to 15'-3" and the field narrowed to the top 10. Coming in with a 2024 regional record 15'-9.25", this was familiar territory for Hulsey. Unfortunately, Hulsey bumped the bar on his final attempt to close out his final run in the IHSAA state tournament, still making the medal podium. Hulsey finished his season with a ninth-place medal in the battle among the state's best pole vaulters. "I prefer to be outside than inside," Hulsey explained when asked about the differences. "It was very muggy, windy and rainy (outside) so it's better that we got moved inside. I had decent warm ups but when I came to competition time I think I was a little too excited and that made my form a little too quick. "I look back at the videos and see the things that I did wrong, It makes me a little mad because a little fix could have helped me place better. I was way over the bar every time I just didn't have the depth due to me not being patient with the swing." Ending up in the top 10, setting and then resetting a new school standard in the pole vault are to be proud of! Hulsey also finished his career as a two-time regional champ, regional record holder, two-time sectional champion and departed with his name on the school record board outside of Dale E. Cox Gymnasium. "This season may have not ended how I wanted it to end, but throughout the season I did amazing," concluded Hulsey. "I broke the school record multiple times, set a regional record, and won sectionals, regionals and conference. I wish I could have ended better because I know I was capable of jumping higher but I look back and had one heck of a year." LaVille coach Kathe Beehler was very proud of her Lancer athletes and concluded with, "Lincoln and Michael have had a very successful season with some really great performances in the last month that earned them top positions at the state meet. Unfortunately Saturday wasn’t the day that they were able to repeat those performances. They both have left their name in the high record books at LaVille. Lincoln earned state finalist three years in a row, a two-time regional champion, regional record holder, two-time sectional champion. And, Michael came back out this season and earned sectional and regional champion and school record holder. "It’s very exciting that they will both continue their academic and athletic careers at Indiana State University and those coaches are excited about them joining their team and what they are going to be able to do at that level." In the end, it was still a pretty awesome experience to compete with some of the best in the state.