Trinity's David Bricker forgot his trademark headband for Friday's PIAA Track and Field Championships, held at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium.
After advancing to Saturday's finals with the fastest time in the 400 dash, he decided to ditch the headband.
It proved to be the right decision. The headband-less Bricker, who also got a haircut, used his newfound aerodynamics to cruise to the AA state title in the 400.
Bricker blazed around the track to win the event in 49.77. He finished ahead of Annville-Cleona's Ben Mason (50.26), Northern Lehigh's Caleb Johnson (50.51), Trinity's Matt Janton (50.81), Southern Fulton's Jacob Ashkettle (51.25) and Trinity's Matt Bernick (51.43).
Bricker was the Mid-Penn's only individual AA winner at states.
"Our 4x800 team that ran earlier said the wind goes against you until the last 100," Bricker said. "I pushed hard for the first 300 and gave it all I had for the last 100."
Bricker got off to a fast start and burned his way to victory. As hard as Mason tried to out-kick Bricker, he simply couldn't. It was quite a difference from last week, when Mason bested Bricker to win his third consecutive District 3-AA title.
"It feels good to beat Mason," Bricker said. "I'm glad we could push each other all year. I'm just glad to win when it really mattered."
As for that headband?
"I just forgot it for the first race," Bricker said. "I decided to keep it the way it was going.
"I was more aerodynamic and dropped time."
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