2025 UIL 1A boys 800m
Defending champion Sean Stanaland (Jayton) was a heavy favorite heading into the UIL 1A Boys 800m with a top time of 1:54.11 on the season and figured to have an easy time in the race.
Caden Sweat (Iredell) did not get the message and pushed Stanaland as hard as he could go. Sweat went through the 400m in 53.39 with Stanaland on his hip and he kept pushing. Stanaland was unfazed and took control of the race on the back stretch where he did not let down.
Stanaland pulled away from Sweat and won in 1:52.95 as he inched very close to the UIL 1A state meet record of 1:51.71, held by the legendary Jake Merrell from Turkey Valley. Sweat held on for second with a big personal record time of 1:57.10. Ryker Haivala (Cumby Miller Grove), the 3200m champion, stayed in the back of the pack for most of the race, but turned it on over the final 300m to take third place in 1:59.74.
