Courtesy photo Derek Douglas stands in Goerke Field after a track meet at Stevens Point, Wis., June 18.

ESCANABA — Better late than never.

After missing his entire junior track season due to the Covid-19 virus, Escanaba’s Derek Douglas cashed in on an opportunity to compete at Stevens Point, Wis. June 19.

Douglas entered the 800-meter run at the Point All-Comers Twilight meet where he placed third in two minutes, 3.98 seconds.

Liam Belson, the 2018 Wisconsin High School Division 1 800 champion, won in 1:57.32. The current University of Wisconsin runner was followed by three-time WIAA D-3 800 finalist Evan Fingers at 1:58.2 on the eight-lane rubberized surface.

“It was pretty disappointing to not have a high school season, but it was real nice to have a chance to compete,” said Douglas. “I stayed with them for the first 400 before they began to pull away. I learned a lot and found out what I need to work on. The competition was real good over there. I think I learned that I need to work on my endurance. That was my first meet all year, but I’ve been training hard for quite a while. I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in.”

Douglas considered doing the 400 but decided against it on that very warm evening.

“They moved the meet along pretty quickly,” he said. “The events were pretty close together. I wish I could have run the 400, but there just wasn’t enough recovery time.

“That was probably the hottest weather I’ve run in. It was close to 90 degrees, but there was no breeze which probably helped. I stayed under the bleachers as much as I could and stayed hydrated.”

Douglas said he looked for other track meets but was unable to find any at this time.

“I’ll probably take a break and get ready for cross country,” he added. “I going to try to build up to about 50 miles a week.”

The Eskymos open their season Aug. 25 at Munising.