COLUMBUS — Latrell Hughes opened the 2026 Division II state track and field meet on Saturday with a championship.

He closed it out with another Sunday, the final in his storied Lexington career.

Hughes defended his state title in the 800-meter run, winning in 1 minute, 49.46 seconds. He and teammates Nathan Reed, Trevor Reed and Will Hooper won the 4×800 before the rains came Saturday.

His winning time broke the Division II state meet record of 1:50.77, set in 2008 by Sandusky Perkins’ Cory Leslie.

It’s the top time in Ohio this spring and ranks 14th nationally.

“I couldn’t ask for a better ending to my high school career,” Hughes said. “It’s definitely a great way to end.”

University School’s Thomas Lodowski was second in 1:49.92.

The Oregon-bound Hughes trailed Lodowski for the first 700 meters, but never by more than a a few strides. He finally tracked down Lodowski on the home stretch as the crowd came to its feet.

“We went out pretty fast on the first lap,” Hughes said. “I was right there and I noticed his form in the last 100 meters and I thought I could out-sprint him.”

The chase-down wasn’t nearly as dramatic as his stunning anchor leg of Saturday’s 4×800 relay. Hughes had to make up about 50 meters when he took the baton from Hooper.

“That was one of the biggest (deficits) I’ve overcome,” Hughes said.

Hughes will leave as the program’s record-holder in the 200, 400, 800 and 5K.

“He’s the most versatile athlete I’ve coached,” Lex coach Mike Moore said.

Hughes won’t run in the nationals this summer, meaning the next time he suits up it will be in the green-and-yellow of Oregon. He’ll also have to retire the pink New Balance spikes he wore at the state meet.

Oregon is a Nike school. The iconic company’s co-founder, Phil Knight, was a three-year letterman in track for the Ducks.

While the next chapter awaits, Hughes hasn’t given much thought to the one that came to an end on a sun-soaked Sunday inside Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

“It hasn’t really set in yet,” Hughes said. “I’m just so thankful to my family and friends and coaches who went on this journey with me.”

Madison Rams in Action

Madison’s Jaxon Stancombe finished 13th in the shot put competition with a top throw of 52-5.5

The Madison 4×400 relay team of Jayden Hall, Camden Moysi, Daniel Norris and Julius Walker finished 15th in 3:26.18.