Watch Cuthbertson run 1:26.56 at New Balance Indoor Nationals
WAXHAW, North Carolina - The boys' 4x200-meter relay state indoor record had stood for so long - 16 years - that it not only seemed unattainable, dangling out there for others to admire and never achieve, but it was also a constant reminder of why those New Bern relays obtained their legendary status - a status rightly acquired during those 2008 and 2009 storybook seasons when New Bern grabbed national headlines after setting three U.S. and eight North Carolina relay records.
That aura was recently chipped away at by Cuthbertson, which is competing at the prestigious Texas Relays this weekend, after the quartet of Robert Lausen, Davian Hall, Aronne Cosentino and Brenden Robbins broke New Bern's longstanding indoor state record of 1 minute, 27.02 seconds, set in 2009, by running 1:26.56 at New Balance Indoor Nationals and becoming the first North Carolina school to dip under 1:27.0 indoors.
MISFITS HAVE A CHANCE
That Cuthbertson's quartet of "misfits," a name endearingly given by Cuthbertson head coach Dustin Allen, took down such a notable record is even more remarkable.
Consider that Lausen, a senior and promising sprinter in middle school, had given up the sport at one point, a decision driven mostly by injuries and admitted disinterest; that Hall, a junior and starting quarterback for Cuthbertson's football team, was running track for the first time; that Cosentino, a senior and third-string quarterback, had dreams of playing college football and had not considered track his primary sport until a breakout spring track season last year; and that Robbins, a senior and former football player, who although running a N.C. all-time No. 5 300-meter time (33.71) in December, had a less-than-memorable state meet when he ran 36.26 to finish ninth in the 300 - a performance that not only stung because it was significantly slower than he could run, but was made even more forgettable when coupled with the 4x200-meter relay team's runner-up finish in a slower-than standard time for this group (1:29.63) and a runner-up finish in the team standings, when their goal was to bring home another team championship.
None of that seemed like the ingredients for a record-setting relay, especially one that could take down such a legendary mark by such a legendary program, but here they were - fueled mostly by belief, but a belief grounded in a December performance at the Liberty High School Invitational in Lynchburg, VA, where they ran 1:28.48 and could see the possibilities of what that could look like more three months later when they were peaking and running at New Balance Indoor Nationals against national elite relays. Add to that the fact they were fueled even more by their 1:27.25 preliminary performance that put them just 0.23 from the record and another chance at the mark, and even the unbelieving could start to believe.
However, only four North Carolina teams had ever broken 1:28 indoors, so although one task had been accomplished, dipping under New Bern's North Carolina record 1:27.02 would require more than just belief - each not only had to run even faster than they had ever run, but they also had to hope the baton exchanges were perfect. Relays have that unknown element, as well, that no matter how much you practice, the inevitable drops, bobbles, messy exchanges caused by heavy traffic in the zones, and so much more, can sometimes occur when greatness is around the corner.
LAUSEN ON THE LEADOFF
First up on the leadoff leg was Lausen, whose parents ran track, but that wasn't enough to fuel his desire to excel in the sport. He said his disinterest in the sport was so deep, that despite running middle school times of 11.53 (100m) and 23.22 (200m) and being one of the top middle school sprinters in North Carolina, he quit.
"I ran through all of middle school until freshman year of high school when I stopped," Lausen said. "It wasn't until second semester of my sophomore year when I came back to the sport. Ever since I started, I never really liked track, and up to seventh grade I had done golf and track and planned to quit both. Though after quitting golf, my parents told me I had to do one sport, so I was stuck with track, which increased my disdain for the sport even more until I refused to do it anymore. Despite running fast times in middle school...and knowing my potential, it wasn't until my parents gave me an incentive and started paying me to run that led me to come back, but even then I didn't start taking it seriously until my junior year."
That disdain for track was noticed by Allen, as well.
"His potential was undeniable," said Allen, when thinking about Lausen and all of his ability. "But it was clear that raw talent alone wouldn't be enough to carry him to success. His first year was a time of growth, as he had to learn that hard work and discipline were just as important as his natural abilities. There was a time when Robert wasn't fully invested in the program, and in fact, one day his mother showed up to practice to find him skipping and reading under a tree instead of training. That moment became a turning point for Robert."
Even after he became dedicated to the sport, another hurdle presented itself - injuries. He had overcome one hurdle, only to encounter another. Shin splint issues dating back to sixth grade, as well as back and knee injuries, derailed his newfound desire to compete.
''In spite of all the setbacks I've gone through, I persevered, which led me to get to where I am now," said Lausen.
Said Allen: "His passions extended beyond track - he was a great student, part of the marching band, and even an aspiring model. It took years of setbacks and tough lessons for Robert to lock in and realize the importance of commitment. But as his senior year unfolded, we finally saw the light bulb go off. By the time he lined up to start the 4x200 in the biggest race of his career, Robert had truly come into his own."
Desire to achieve can do that, especially desire to achieve at a high level, which is what drove each of them.
HALL TAKES BATON ON CRUCIAL SECOND LEG
The second leg is even more crucial than leadoff and anchor in an indoor 4x200-meter relay, because relay zone traffic can be heavy on that first exchange with not much separation having happened to that point. Bobbles, drops and mistakes happen so frequently that one viral video was labeled "the chaos of the indoor 4x200 relay" this indoor season, showing the uncertainty in a relay that can humble the fastest teams.
Hall's play at quarterback, though, likely helped him - having to be locked in to see open receivers while being pressured by defenders, being patient and calm in the pocket or knowing when to bail on a play or not, takes someone with poise who can act in an instant while processing lots of information quickly. Also, Allen described Hall as "quiet, humble, and fiercely competitive" - traits that would become even more pronounced at the New Balance Nationals when it mattered most.
"He came to his first practice in late November, without even owning a pair of spikes," Allen said. "I remember teasing him about how much harder track would be compared to playing football, but he gave me that knowing grin, the one he always wears when he's about to prove you wrong."
Said Hall: "I have been a quarterback my entire life, and football has been my passion ever since I was a little kid. I was never introduced to track until the last few months, actually. I decided to go out and run just to condition myself and get faster for the upcoming football season, not even expecting to make any impact on the team. I found something more with track and realized that I could actually make an impact."
That impact reverberated in a huge way at nationals, as recounted by Allen.
"He made a dramatic second attempt to grab the baton after a mishandled exchange," Allen said. "Davian's effort saved the team, and he ran a technically flawless leg, with a perfect handoff to Aronne Cosentino, setting the stage for the team's success."
THIRD-STRING QUARTERBACK COSENTINO BECOMES FIRST-STRING RELAY LEG
Cosentino was a third-string quarterback on the varsity football team, not on the radar as a key contributor in track, modest indoor track times from last season (7.12, 55 meters; 39.0, 300 meters), and someone who began running track to improve his speed for football. Of anyone, he was the least likely of the four to be on a record-setting relay, much less mixing it up with some of the nation's best at a national championship meet.
Allen drilled that least-likely status home even more describing Cosentino's unlikely rise from someone who was just on the team to someone who was a key relay member on the national level.
"One year ago, Aronne Cosentino was at home during nationals weekend, having never even attended a state meet, let alone competed at one," Allen said. "But it wasn't until he fully committed to track that his potential began to shine. With relentless dedication, Aronne shaved five seconds off his 300-meter time and ran a 6.58 in the 55 as a senior. In the nationals 4x200 relay, he ran an explosive 21.52-second leg in the preliminaries and an even faster 21.23 seconds in the finals, putting the team in prime position for the victory."
Admittedly, track wasn't Cosentino's focus and was merely a means to an end - the end playing college football.
"I only started running track because it would help me prepare for the up-and-coming football season and keep me in shape during off-season," he said. "It wasn't until my junior year outdoor season where track really took off for me. I started to get new PR's every week in the 100 meters and 200 meters, which helped me qualify for conference, go to regionals, states, and New Balance Nationals. After all this success I made the biggest decision of my life and decided to take a step away from football and fully pursue a career in track."The drive, belief and high goals, though, were what set him apart from others, even others who had been in the sport for a long time. "I think everyone has goals of breaking a state record or school record," he said. "But we just wanted to go out there and win and show that we can hang with these big schools."
ROBBINS BRINGS IT HOME WITH KEY ANCHOR
Another former football player, Robbins, an Appalachian State track commit, was the most likely to be on the team - with Allen referring to him as a "dominant force" by the end of his junior year - and the most likely to anchor, with PRs of 21.91 for 200 meters, 33.71 for 300 meters and 47.98 for 400 meters.
He also had won four events at the one-day outdoor conference meet, showing his stamina and range in the sprints: 10.87, 100 meters; 21.95, 200 meters; 49.03, 400 meters, and anchoring the 4x400-meter relay to a 3:19.53.
But, like everyone else in this unlikely group of record-setters, there were hurdles to overcome.
"Coming into his senior year, Brenden was on fire, running fast and pushing the team to new heights," Allen said. "But injuries and personal challenges tested his resolve, and there were questions about how he would perform in the state and national meets. Despite the setbacks, Brenden rose to the occasion. Both at the state and national meets, he anchored the team with two crucial 21-second splits, showing his leadership and skill when it mattered most."
SUPPLANTING LEGENDS
After Robbins brought the team home in 1:26.56 for a fourth-place finish at New Balance Indoor Nationals, to shatter the legendary mark by nearly a half a second and become the first North Carolina school to go under 1:27.0 indoors for the 4x200-meter relay, there was time for everyone to enjoy.
"When we broke it, I just went over to celebrate with my teammates because I knew all the hard work we put in had finally paid off in the end," said Robbins, who was already looking ahead to the spring and more records. "We have our eyes set on the 4x1 and 4x2 records (outdoors)...knowing that we're the first team in state history to go 1:26 still doesn't seem real to me."
Said Hall: "When we broke the record, I was just relieved because we all put in so much work this season, and to finally get it done was a blessing."
Cosentino agreed. "After breaking the record, I felt a sigh of relief, this record was something that we talked about all year and New Balance was our last chance to break it."
Lausen, who has a newfound competitiveness, saw even more they could have gotten: "I was glad, but what went through my mind was that we could've gone faster if my handoff to Davian was better. We might have even been able to go 1:25, but breaking the state record, getting (New Balance) All-American, and fourth overall, is still a great accomplishment."
Allen summed up everything - the group, their stories and the record - perfectly.
"What this team proved is that it doesn't matter where your journey begins; whether you're a freshman with potential, a football player with no track experience, or an underdog who isn't on the coach's radar," he said. "The most important thing is to believe in the process, trust your coaches, and support your teammates. This team showed that with hard work, perseverance, and a shared sense of purpose, incredible things can happen."
"It is a story of overcoming obstacles, pushing past limitations, and rising to the occasion when it mattered most. These four young men are a shining example of what can happen when you come together, work for a common goal, and believe in each other. Greatness isn't just about talent-it's about heart, commitment, and the willingness to fight for every moment."
The process, overcoming and just giving themselves a chance, is the most important aspect of breaking such a record, and will be what people will remember about this team the most.
The idea of breaking such a long-standing and legendary record was cultivated through various personal experiences leading up to their record-setting performance, their early-season time of 1:28.48 in December at Liberty, and the belief they were all good enough to accomplish something that hadn't been done up to that point - supplanting legends.