Lucas Wallace: "I never thought I'd win state"

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Lucas Wallace of Lafayette Jeff is still humbled by his 200 meter dash state championship in last Saturday in Bloomington, which the Bronchos sprinter clocked in a blazing 21.70 seconds.

"I knew that I'd do well in sectional. I knew that I'd get some points in regional," Wallace said Thursday night. "But I never thought I'd win state."

Wallace, who made an inspiring comeback from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee just a few months ago, is the Bronchos first state champion in boys track and field since Dustin Keller won the state high jump title in 2003.

Keller is currently an established starting tight end with the NFL's New York Jets after a standout collegiate career at Purdue.

"Dustin Keller and me in the same sentence, you can't even describe that," said Wallace. "I mean, it's just a blessing to be in the same sentence as him. I still can't believe I'm the only state champion since him."

Veteran Lafayette Jeff boys track and field head coach Larry Griggs was in awe of Wallace's state championship sprint.

"I'm high-fiving my coach next to me," Griggs said. "And all these emotions just come rushing through you. It was the most spectacular race that I've seen in a long time."