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How motivated was Brookings-Harbor's Miguel Ramos to win a state title? He put his body on the line to claim the 3A boys 400 crown

“Honestly, if I didn’t dive, I don’t think I would have won that.”
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By Dan Brood

Miguel Ramos had always dreamed of winning a state title. 

As he neared the finish line in the Class 3A boys 400-meter dash, Ramos found himself basically side-by-side with Catlin Gabel junior Malcolm Grant.

But Ramos, a Brookings-Harbor senior, wasn’t about to let his championship aspirations slip away. He was willing to do whatever it took to claim the title.

So, as the finish line got closer and closer, Ramos decided it was time to do what he needed to do.

He dove.

He dove, he crashed, he skidded, he was scraped and he was bruised — but he also was a state champion.

Miguel Ramos 1 Dan Brood

Ramos, going all out, claimed the title in the 400 at the Class 3A state track and field championships Friday at Hayward Field in Eugene.

“I dove for that one,” Ramos, smiling through the pain, said after the race. “It was a great finish. It was an amazing experience.”

Ramos ended up winning the 400 in a personal-best time of 49.52 seconds. And, as it appears, Ramos did need to go to all-out measures, as Grant finished a super-close second with his mark of 49.74.

“Honestly, if I didn’t dive, I don’t think I would have won that,” Ramos said. “I tried to lean forward, but my legs wouldn’t keep my body up, so I just jumped and dove. Yeah, it was on purpose.”

After receiving his championship medal, the scrapes and bruises on Ramos’ upper arm and back were clearly visible.

“It was painful. It was terrible,” Ramos said. “But it was worth it, yes. I always dreamed of winning state, and it finally happened. My dream came true.”

Miguel Ramos 3 Dan Brood

The 400 was just part of a big, and busy, state meet for Ramos.

He sprinted to second place in the 100 in a time of 11.21, and he took third place in the 200 with a mark of 22.57. Ramos also teamed with fellow Brookings-Harbor seniors Kyan Myers, Ty Morris and Jake Beaman to finish in eighth place in the 4x400 relay with a mark of 4:43.70.

But, of course, the highlight for Ramos was his victory in the 400.

“It was just hard work — hard work everywhere,” Ramos said of the key to his victory. “It was fun. I really enjoyed it a lot. It feels good.”

The Brookings-Harbor boys finished in a tie for ninth place in the team standings with 27 points. Ramos accounted for 24.25 of the Bruins’ points. 

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