Samuel Baker beats Cash Iams in 1,600 at Stark Championships

Hoover's Samuel Baker edges Tuslaw's Cash in track and field event

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Hoover High School's Samuel Baker narrowly defeated Tuslaw High School's Cash Iams in the 1,600-meter race at the Stark County High School Track and Field Championships held over the weekend.

Why it matters

The Stark County Championships is a major annual track and field event that showcases the top high school talent in the region, with the 1,600-meter race being one of the marquee events.

The details

Baker, a junior, finished the 1,600-meter race in 4 minutes, 12 seconds, just edging out Iams, a senior, who finished in 4 minutes, 12.5 seconds. The two runners have been rivals throughout their high school careers and this latest victory for Baker continues their competitive back-and-forth.

  • The Stark County High School Track and Field Championships took place over the weekend of February 14-15, 2026.

The players

Samuel Baker

A junior track and field athlete at Hoover High School in Alabama.

Cash Iams

A senior track and field athlete at Tuslaw High School in Ohio.

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The takeaway

The close finish between Baker and Iams in the 1,600-meter race highlights the high level of competition at the Stark County Championships and the ongoing rivalry between these two talented high school distance runners.