KEARNEY, Neb. — An accomplished Norfolk distance runner is preparing for his final state track and field meet.

Isaac Ochoa will compete in three events next week in Omaha following his results at Tuesday’s district meet in Kearney. Ochoa was disappointed in his time in the 3200 M run, but still finished fourth to qualify for state. He followed it up by winning the 1600.

“That was a really good race," Ochoa said. "After I had a really bad setup in the two mile, I had to come back with something and I really did surprise myself there. I was a little exhausted, but we got the win.”

The future University of South Dakota runner has started to take a shine to shorter races. It showed as he ran the anchor leg of Norfolk’s third-place 4x400 M relay.

“This has probably come to be my favorite event, the 4x4," Ochoa said. "My training has also took a turn to be more sprinter-catered an all that. I’ve come to enjoy it, it’s fun.”