Cibart tracking down Heritage records

Ryan Cibart had just notched the biggest accomplishment of his running career to the date. Reeling from breaking the Heritage High School 1,600-meter record, the junior, who is described by his coach as humble with a quiet heir of self-confidence, acted out of character.

Before proceeding to throw up twice, the Heritage junior walked over to Timberwolves coach Ryan Hovde moments removed from finishing less than a second and a half behind Camas’ two-time state champion, Daniel Maton.

“He’s beatable,” Cibart told Hovde, in a matter-of-fact tone.

It was the type of confidence the longtime Heritage coach had been looking for from the standout junior, who could be the most accomplished runner in school history by the time he graduates.

“He never flaunts anything, he doesn’t brag about anything he does,” Hovde said. “When he came up to me and said those words, I thought, ‘OK, that’s the kid I’ve been waiting for.’ It was pretty cool to hear.”

For Cibart, who has specialized in the 800, breaking the 1,600 record wasn’t expected at this point of his high school career. But he’s well aware of each school record he’s within reach of, and who holds it.

“I’ve looked at all of them, know all their times,” Cibart said.

He’s even met some of them, too.

He met Kevin Krohn, who graduated in 2004 and holds the 3,200-meter record, when he stopped by a cross country practice in the fall to see Hovde, his former coach.

Hovde said he’s heard from alumni who’ve gotten wind of Cibart, who ask if their records are in danger.

“Yeah, it probably is,” he tells them.

Cibart started running track in third grade. Sure, he was good, he said, but it wasn’t until middle school that he made a noticeable leap. After joining the Evergreen Storm track club, he started seeing results, and eventually focus his efforts on track over soccer.

“Club track was really the boost to get me here,” Cibart said.

Cibart has plenty to flaunt. On top of his 1,600 time, the middle distance runner has personal bests 0.3 seconds shy of the 800 and the 400-meter records. College coaches have taken notice, too. Hovde estimates he has received more than 30 recruiting letters, some from programs as large as Duke, Wisconsin and Miami. The University of Michigan, according to Hovde, was ready to offer and sign Cibart.

But Cibart, a 4.0 student who is weighing pursing an economics degree or going into the medical field, doesn’t have a preference in schools.

In the March 20 dual meet when he broke the 1,600 record, Cibart said the pack got off to a slow start. He completed the first two laps at 65 second pace, and hit 62 on the third, which he needed to beat on the last lap. As Cibart hit the last 100 meters, he could hear a Camas coach barking out the time.

At that point, “I knew it was going to happen,” he said.

Cibart finished in 4:21.32, a couple strides behind’s Maton’s 4:20.05.

Now Cibart and the Heritage coaching staff are trying to figure out which events to focus on for the state meet. Between the 1600, 800 and 400, Cibart needs to pick two.

In the meantime, he has his eyes on the remaining two school records.

He’s going to wait for an invitational, where the competition is stiff, to run the 800 again.

As for the 400, Hovde hopes to see Cibart break 50 seconds. Keaton Spiller (2015) holds the record with 50.59.

Breaking 50 seconds, he said, would send a message across the state.

“The school record is great and all, but I want him to see what kind of foot speed he has, and I want the rest of the state to see what kind of foot speed he has,” Hovde said. “If he can run a 49 in the 400, it’s going to show the rest of the state he’s a contender in the state meet. That’s why I’m hoping he dips under.”

Cibart may have surprised himself. But the coaches have long seen it coming.

“When Ryan came in as a freshman, we knew he was special,” Hovde said. “I don’t think he knew how special he was, but now he’s starting to.”