Five local boys track and field standouts competed in the IHSAA boys state meet on Friday at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Tipton junior Chase Bess recorded the highest finish of any of the locals, taking 10th in the 300 hurdles in 39.27.

Western junior Cameron Dessing took 22nd in the 300 hurdles, finishing in :41.31.

"There's a lot of fast kids," Dessing said. "It was a lot of fun, a great experience for me to hopefully get back and place a little better.

"I didn't run my best race, I didn't PR, I kind of stutter-stepped. I had the nerves get to me on this one, but it was a lot of fun running against all the other kids."

Dessing was already excited about the prospect of getting better in the offseason to get back to state. Western coach Gary Jewell was glad to have his junior get a taste of state.

"The earlier you come here and experience this, the more you understand what it's going to take not only to get here, but place in your event," Jewell said. "It's been great for him."

Kokomo sophomore Hanif Burnett took 14th in the 400, finishing in 49.86. Senior teammate Jordan Nix registered a leap of 20 feet 7.5 inches and was 27th in the long jump competition.

Wildkat senior pole vaulter Avery Barrett was one of five athletes to finish with no height cleared and no place recorded in the standings.