Drezek Breaks Own State Mark In 3K Steeplechase

There's a reason Ben Drezek was noticeably missing from the Class Championships on Saturday.

It's because he was busy smashing his own state mark in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Instead of competing at the Class A meet, the Cumberland high senior toed the line in the steeplechase at the Battle Roads Twilight Series, held at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Drezek finished second overall with a new state mark of 9 minutes, 23.91 seconds. That time dips well under his previous record of 9:38.99 and also ranks him No. 3 in the country. Finishing ahead of Drezek in the race was Nick Steele, a freshman at Villanova University. As a senior for Bromfield School (MA) last year, Steele was second in the 2K Steeplechase at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor (NBNO) Championships.

Of note, Drezek was originally supposed to compete in the steeplechase at the Loucks Games two weeks ago, but it was cancelled due to the rainy weather. His latest efforts bodes well for his goal of an All-American finish at NBNO in mid June.