MOUNT VERNON — Calvin Heithaus had mixed emotions after last week’s Division II Lexington regional meet.

The Mount Vernon freshman set a personal record and broke the school record in the 1,600-meter run, clocking in at 4 minutes, 16.21 seconds. 

It was the third-place finish at Lexington that left a bad taste in his mouth.

“I was seeded first, so I thought I was going to win,” Heithaus said afterward. “That didn’t happen today, but the goal was to qualify for the state meet. So I’m happy about that.”

While he isn’t sure what to expect when the gun sounds for the 1,600 finals at 1:43 p.m. Sunday, he’s looking forward to it.

“I’m definitely hoping for something on the podium,” he said. “I’m not sure about how high on the podium, but I’m going to keep a positive mindset.”

Heithaus is one of five Yellow Jackets who qualified for the state meet. He will be joined in Columbus by Jamison Oakes (400), Lucy Rush (1,600, 3,200), Khloe Bradley (shot put) and Kennedy Howard (pole vault). The girls 4×400 relay also earned a state meet bid.

Howard is seeded fourth in the pole vault after clearing 12 feet last week. Her PR of 13-3 would have given her the top seed.

“My goal was to qualify, so I’m happy about that,” Howard said. “I would love to jump anything over 13 at state.”

State Qualifiers

Division II Boys

Jamison Oakes, Mount Vernon (400)

Calvin Heithaus, Mount Vernon (1,600)

Division II Girls

Lucy Rush, Mount Vernon (1,600, 3,200)

Khloe Bradley, Mount Vernon (shot put)

Kennedy Howard, Mount Vernon (pole vault)

Relays

Mount Vernon (4×400)

Division IV Boys

Cason Faucett, East Knox (400)

Cooper Rine, Fredericktown (110 hurdles)

Weston Bostic, East Knox (pole vault)

Relays

Fredericktown (4×200)

Division IV Girls

Ella Bouton, Fredericktown (shot put, discus)

Jenny Alexander, Fredericktown (pole vault)

Division V Boys

Owen Gronberg, Danville (shot put)

Division V Girls

Kelsey Hackman, Danville (100, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump)

Isabelle Bostic, East Knox (400)

Brooklyn Carter, Danville (shot put, discus)

Relays

East Knox (4×100, 4×200, 4×400)