Rex Hohnholt has the distinction of being the coach and the father of the best 3200 runners in Class 1A.

Saratoga's Shelby Hohnholt finished the first track event at the Wyoming State High School Track and Field Championship in record fashion on Thursday, while her brother Hayden also won the Class 1A title in the 3200.

"As a coach it's pretty special," Rex Hohnholt said. "Especially when you know hard work pays off and the kind of effort they put into things.

"It's definitely a special time as a family, but it's a special time as a team too."

Shelby Hohnholt's effort of 11 minutes, 51.11 seconds was good enough to beat the Class 1A state meet record by just more than 10 seconds. She credited teammate Adria Grubb for pushing her to the title. The two worked together for the first part of the race before Hohnholt broke away.

"I just took off," Shelby Hohnholt said. "(Grubb) tried to tell me to pace myself, but I got caught up and went a little too fast."

After each lap Shelby looked up at the clock to make sure she was on record pace.

"I've been working toward it the whole year," she said. "Last weekend at regionals I ran 12:01, so I was going for it."

Her family was also confident she'd get the record. Rex Hohnholt said he knew his daughter was ready to run her best race of the year. Hayden Hohnholt didn't need to wait long to know she would break the meet mark.

"Right when that gun went off she knew and I knew she'd get it," he said.

Hayden, a junior, had to wait a little longer before knowing he would match his sister on top of the podium. He and Hulett's Nic Penning were side by side for most of the race.

"With about two laps left, Nic, the kid from Hulett, was right there, so I knew I had to get ahead of him because the sprint at the end is something I'm not too good at," Hayden Hohnholt said.

Hohnholt held off Penning and won in 12:14.12.

Since Shelby is just a freshman, the duo has a chance to repeat next year. Right now, though, her mind is on her next race, the 1600.

"My fastest time is 5:30 and the record is 5:31," she said. "We'll see if I can go for that one on Saturday. "… I have the confidence now that if believe in myself I can accomplish whatever I put my heart to."

Hayden Hohnholt is also a contender in the 1600, so the family could further add to Dad's distinctions.

Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com.