TIFFIN — Even when he’s not at full strength, Lexington’s Latrell Hughes is the best in Ohio.

The Oregon-bound Hughes won the Division II Tiffin district championship in the 800 meter run on a cold and rainy Friday at Frost-Kalnow Stadium. Unofficially, his time of 1 minute, 51.88 seconds is the fastest in Ohio this spring regardless of division.

The reigning Division I state champ in the 800, Hughes is still working his way back into shape after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this season. His winning time Friday was less than a second off last year’s state championship mark (1:51.00).

“I’ve been dealing with a hamstring issue and this is the first time in a while I’ve been out here,” said Hughes, who finished fourth at the New Balance National Indoor in Boston in mid-March. “I finished pretty strong.

“I felt a lot better than I have in the last few weeks.”

What’s more, he did it in a driving rain and temperatures in the low-50s. The rain began to pick up at about the time Hughes approached the starting line.

“I don’t like running in the rain, but I’ll do whatever it takes,” Hughes said. “I don’t mind this temperature actually. This is better than (it being) super hot.”

Team chase

Hughes helped power Lexington to a runner-up finish in the team standings with 109.5 points. Fremont Ross (121) won the boys title. 

The Little Giants also won the girls team title with 166.33 points. Ashland (112.5) was second.

Hughes will have company in the 800 at next week’s Division II regional meet at Lexington. Teammate Trevor Reed finished third in 1:56.02.

The Minutemen also had a pair of regional qualifiers in the 1,600 and 3,200. The top four finishers in each event qualified for the regional meet.

The 3,200 was held on Wednesday. Lex’s Lincoln Rice (9:35.85) was second and Luke Haring (9:48.51) was fourth.

John Barton (4:27.11) took third in the 1,600. Gage Devaney (4:27.51) was fourth.

Lexington’s other individual qualifiers included Cam Glennon in the long jump (second, 21-6.5), Eli Barr in the pole vault (second, 12-6) and Dantrell Hughes in the 300 hurdles (third, 40.04).

All four of Madison’s relay teams also punched their ticket to next week’s regional. 

The 4×800 team won a district title in 8:01.29 Wednesday. The 4×200 crew was second in 1:29.98, while the 4×100 quartet was fourth (43.73). The 4×400 team was third in 3:25.26.

Moving on

Madison will send three individuals and a relay team to next week’s regional. 

Elijah Pointer took third in the 200 (23.02), while Jaxin Stancombe was runner-up in the shot put (52-3.25). Alexander Moore was runner-up in the high jump with a leap of 6-1.

Madison’s 4×400 team finished second in 3:24.86.