The outdoor track season was nothing short of spectacular for the royals in 2023. Placing second in the 120thrunning of the IHSAA State Finals. With point total of 54, the royals were only 5 points away from the trophy. Even though the royals fell short of the title, they had a taste of greatness in the 4×100 relay race, placing 1stin the state. Christian Ortiz was one of the four royals on the 4×100 team last year that finished state champions in 2023. Ortiz is looking to do it again but will have an uphill battle to try to replace 3 very talented runners.
“We took a big hit in the 4×1 losing three out of the 4 guys on the State winning relay, but we are a team that has a lot of depth. I feel very confident that we have the talent needed to be able to go back-to-back. It is just finding the right 4 guys that want it.”
Ortiz has been waiting patiently to get back on the track and has some extra motivation in his back pocket after falling short of the trophy to his cross-town rivals, Fishers Highschool.
“We came short to the last team we want to lose to, but there’s good in everything and that will be our motivation this year to make sure that we don’t feel that way again.”
Ortiz is also trying to break some records of his own. He has set his sights on the 200-meter and 400-meter state records and hopes to shatter them in his final season.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of work to finish a champion this year and I am super excited to get back out there.”
There are many wholes to fill in the 4×100 relay team this year, but the deep talent of this 2025 roster should take care of it. Senior Liam Boyd is one of the athletes set to replace one of the spots on that team.
“I am confident that I can step up and fill in for my team. I have been waiting for this opportunity and can’t wait to show everyone what I got.”
This season will certainly be exciting, and everyone will have their eyes on this relay team to see if they can repeat greatness once again.
