Burnett wins 1600, 3200 at 3A State Indoor Championships

Kemmerer native sets state records for MV Buffs

Don Cogger, For the Gazette
Posted 3/21/23

Competing for the Mountain View High School indoor track and field team, Kemmerer’s Owen Burnett continued his assault on the record books, breaking a pair of records at the 2023 WHSAA 3A State Indoor Track and Field Championships in Gillette, March 3-4.

Burnett won the 1600 meters in a blistering time of 4:21.70, and the 3200 in a time of 9:41.57, setting new state standards in both.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Burnett wins 1600, 3200 at 3A State Indoor Championships

Kemmerer native sets state records for MV Buffs

Posted

Competing for the Mountain View High School indoor track and field team, Kemmerer’s Owen Burnett continued his assault on the record books, breaking a pair of records at the 2023 WHSAA 3A State Indoor Track and Field Championships in Gillette, March 3-4.

Burnett won the 1600 meters in a blistering time of 4:21.70, and the 3200 in a time of 9:41.57, setting new state standards in both.

Burnett also ran a leg in the 4x400 relay — along with teammates Tayden Bell, Bodey Fraughton and Wyatt Jensen — that finished fourth, in a time of 3:39.88. Mountain View finished sixth as a team in the 16-team field.

“It feels great to close out my career for Mountain View on a high note,” Burnett said. “I worked hard all winter, and was very happy to run Wyoming’s all-time fastest indoor 3200 at the Simplot Games. Having a solid season leading up to state made me confident in my ability in finals.”

Burnett led both races from the start, finishing ahead of Star Valley’s Habtamu Wetzel in both by at least seven seconds.

“I led both of my state races from the start to the finish, so I didn’t have too much competition pushing me at state,” Burnett explained. “But at other meets throughout the year, I had fantastic competition, and it shows in my performances. Indoor track has made me a smarter competitor in track, as the importance of positioning is only emphasized on a smaller oval.”

Burnett will now turn his attention to the outdoor track and field season, where he is the defending 3A state champion in the 1600 and 3200 meters as a member of the Kemmerer Rangers.

“Looking into outdoor, it will be more challenging to train at the level I was during indoor, but I expect more record breaking performances to end my track career as long as I can stay healthy and injury-free,” he said.

Burnett — who will compete next year for the University of Wyoming — was chosen as the 2022-23 Gatorade Wyoming Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year in January.