Nicholson shattered the 110-meter hurdles state record of 14.42 set in 1996 with a time of 14.23 to get first and claim the state championship.

The win for Nicholson earned his second state championship in three years for the Eagles in the hurdles.

“Well, in sectionals my hamstring was a little gimpy because I had ran the 100-meter race and messed it up a little bit,” Nicholson said. “I was worried about my health and how everything was going to go, but I iced it the week before state and I felt really good about it then. After I qualified the first day on that Friday, I felt that if I started real good it was going to be my race to win.”

Nicholson said it feels really good to go on top his senior year in his final track meet with a state record.

“I felt like after I had won it that was one thing because I had been there before,” Nicholson said. “But when I had found out I had broken the state record, it made me excited.”

Nicholson’s first place in the 110 hurdles was just ahead of B.C. Rain’s Deltonio Seals’ 14.28 as he also broke the state record. Nicholson also placed fifth in the 300-meter hurdles for the Eagles.

Elliott placed third in the boys high jump with a jump of 6-0. But in the triple jump, Elliott claimed first with a jump of 45-10. The second place finisher jumped 45-0.

“It feels really good to be a state champion my senior year,” Elliott said. “Last year, I didn’t do the triple jump, I only did the high jump and I didn’t even place, so this feels real good to go out my last year and win the state championship.”

The wins helped W.S. Neal place seventh overall in 4A with 30 points. UMS-Wright won the meet with 127 points followed by B.C. Rain with 85.

W.S. Neal Eagle track coach Rebecca Jordan said she was very proud of the way her Eagle athletes represented W.S. Neal at the state track meet.

“I am especially proud of Bob and Jeremy, not only for their state titles, but for the hard work and dedication they have used to get there,” Jordan said. “Track and Field is a sport that takes a great deal of self-discipline.

“Both guys went above and beyond what it took to earn the high honor of a gold medal.”