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Special to the IJ

Lincoln County Middle School 7th grader Abby Bastin won the Kentucky Middle School Dream Mile this past Friday night in Louisville with a time of 5:11.57. Bastin led the race, comprised of the 16 fastest middle school girls in the state, from wire to wire.

Bastin’s time of 5:11.57 in the mile is the fifth-fastest time in state history posted by a middle school girl. She is ranked first in Kentucky for all middle school runners for both the 1600 and 800 meters and eighth in the nation for the class of 2026.

This finish is one of many of her amazing accolades so far this season. Her times of 5:09.76 in the 1600 meters and 2:20.09 in the 800 meters rank her third in the state for KHSAA class 2A high school rankings.

Lincoln County High School Track and Field Coach Jose Pope said, “As a coach, you only get the honor of knowing these kids for such a short time. In the four years I have been Abby’s coach, I’ve watched her become a tremendous athlete. There has never been a race or event I’ve put her in that she hasn’t dominated. It was no surprise to me to see her win the Middle School Dream Mile. Abby has the determination to be an Olympic athlete one day.”

She now holds the Lincoln County High School all-time record for the fastest mile and is second all-time in the 800 meters behind her teammate Lucy Singleton who holds the record.

Bastin won the Salt River Conference Championship (middle school) in the 1600 meters and 800 meters and set conference records for both events on May 10 of this year.

She currently holds meet records for:
• Danville All comers- 800 meters
• Lincoln All comers- 1600 and 800 meters
• Patriot Games – 1600 meters

“All I can say is if you get the chance to watch her run, do not miss the opportunity. This girl not only has made a name for herself here locally, but has done so statewide now,” explained Coach Pope.

You can see Abby and the Lincoln County Track team compete at Lincoln County High School this Saturday at 10 am.