Winning a state championship is tough enough within itself, but winning multiple titles is a challenging feat for any athlete. For junior Ahmed Bile, however, such a task has been customary, as Bile has won three state titles in just as many consecutive seasons this year.
On the heels of Northern Region victories in the 4×100 meter relay and 1600 and 800 meter individual events, Bile took to the track once again to compete in both the 1600 and 800. With added pressure from his phenomenal indoor season performance, Bile spent the week before practicing as he would for almost any other meet to cut down on his nerves.
“I was really nervous [before the regional meet] because I was the favorite going into [the 1600],” Bile said. “I was also really confident though, because I knew I was in good shape.”
This confidence was well-founded, as Bile defeated Grassfield’s Jeremy Greenwald by 1.43 seconds to win the 1600 in a personal best of 4:09.48.
“[Winning the 1600] was a relief,” he said. “I collapsed after the race and people had to help me up. Coach O’Hara even had to help take my shoes off.”
“The mile just obliterated me,” Bile added. “I came out a little too slow in my mile, so the second half of the race was so much faster.”
Due to his slow start, Bile was forced to close the gap in the second half of the race, running the second 800 in 1:59, approximately 11 seconds faster than his first.
This turnaround, however, took a toll on Bile, who was unable to rebound for his 800 meter event, which was held just 45 minutes after the 1600.
“I actually felt pretty good mentally going in, but physically I was exhausted,” he said. “The second I got moving, I wasn’t going anywhere. My body just shut down on me.”
Unable to push through the event, Bile finished with a time of 2:00.68, nearly nine seconds slower than his personal best.
Despite his poor performance in the 800, Bile was satisfied with his overall effort at the state meet.
“As far as states goes, I’m really happy with my performance,” he said. “I did my best for that day, so I have no regrets.”
Now that state competition is behind him, Bile’s focus is on the New Balance Outdoor Nationals, which will be held from June 16-18 in Greensboro, NC. Although he qualified for both the 1600 and 800 meter events, Bile will only be participating in the 800, which will be held on June 18.
When asked why he is choosing to run the 800, Bile said that it is because he knows that he “can compete in that for sure.” He also ran the 800 at nationals during the indoor track season, placing third in the event with a time of 1:51.
Despite this experience, however, Bile recognizes the challenges ahead.
“I feel like it’s gonna be harder [than indoor nationals] because outdoor track is a lot bigger in other states, so I think it’ll be tougher,” he said.
Bile looks to ride his confidence into nationals, hopefully achieving All-American status once again.
However, the road does not end there for Bile, who still has three more high school seasons ahead of him.
“[There will be] a lot of added pressure now, especially for next year,” Bile said. “I’m going to be a senior now, so there’s no excuse for losing.”
