Denver East’s Geberkidane finishes strong to take 800 meter title

LAKEWOOD – Cerake Geberkidane looked over his shoulder with 200 meters to go in Friday’s Class 5A final of the boys 800-meter run at the Colorado Track and Field Championships.

“I knew there’s some great kickers (in the field),” the Denver East senior said.

Actually, it was the runner ahead of him, Smoky Hill’s Blake Yount, with whom he had to be most concerned.
Yount, who came into the race with the state’s fastest time of the season, had set the tone from the outset, with Geberkidane right on his shoulder.

Geberkidane made yet another move rounding the final curve and overtook Yount to take the state title in 1 minute, 51.75 seconds, winning by 55/100ths of a second.

“At the start of the race I didn’t really want to lead the race,” Geberkidane said. “I wanted to be in second or third.”

The two pulled away from the pack, with Yount trying to separate himself and Geberkidane staying on his right shoulder.

“With 300 (meters) left, I made a move and he stayed (ahead),” Geberkidane said.

With 100 to go, he looked back to see a gap between the two and the rest of the field. That’s when he began his final kick.

“(Yount’s) such a great competitor,” Geberkidane said of relishing the challenge. “I love it.”

It was Geberkidane’s first state track title after winning the 5A state cross country title last fall with ease.
The only thing left to cap off his career is Saturday’s 1,600-meter final. After winning the 3,200, “It makes me want (the 1,600) more,” he said.

He knows that like the 800, the 1,600 won’t be easy.

“You’re racing the best in the state,” he said. “It’s who wants it more, and who’s willing to hurt more. I’m willing to do that.”

Saturday’s final day of the three-day meet begins at 8:30 a.m., with all events being finals.