It was their first track meet, ever. Despite the nerves, it was a pretty good showing.
Tracing the learning curve that’s common to all first year track talent, the Mansfield seventh grade girls showed signs that they are quick studies. Going toe to toe with some of the tradition rich schools in the area, Mansfield wrangled away a second place team trophy at the Bearcat Relays on March 6.
Behind four outright event victories, Mansfield closed strong to take the runner-up plaque with 126 total points. Nearby rival Waldron, squeaked out the overall win by two points with 128. Pottsville raced equally hard to finish third with a closely contested 125 points. At least a dozen teams were in attendance.
Lady Tiger Sadie Roberts was in the high point conversation winning two events and scoring top eight in four others.
Roberts won the high jump at 4’ 2” and the triple jump at 25’ ¾”. She was also second in the pole vault to teammate Kiara Thomas, fourth in the long jump, fifth in the 100m hurdles, and part of a fifth place sprint relay team.
Thomas after opening the night with a pole vault victory, placed in four other events as well. She was third leg on the winning 4x400m relay team. She was runner-up in the 100m hurdles, and served as third leg on the fifth place 4x100m relay squad.
Haylee Helms, Harleigh Mars, and McKenzie Griffin joined Thomas on the first place 4x400m team. The unit turned all four laps in 5:14.38.
Mars posted the fastest split of the four runners pulling the unit into the lead on the third leg. Griffin maintained the distance as the anchor to secure the victory with the next best split.
Mars was just as efficient in the 300m hurdles. The first time hurdler raced an exciting round over the eight barrier race for a second place position. The rookie runner was in the lead after the first six hurdlers but was barely passed by a taller, quicker runner from Paris in the final stretch.
Griffin had a productive night getting ribbons in all four of her events. Individually, she was third in the 1600m run and second in the 800m. She was also anchor in both the 4x800m relay for third and the closing mile relay victory.
Helms and Faith Rainwater joined Mars and Griffin on the distance relay.
Rainwater also ran in the 1600m and 800m races. The cross country athlete was sixth and seventh respectively in those two races.
Helms was the opening leg on all three Lady Tiger relays. Her sprint team included teammates Roberts, Thomas, and Skyla Honeycutt.
Honeycutt scored in three sprint races. Her 4x100m team was fifth, her 100m individual dash placed seventh while her 200m sprint posted a sixth.
Kelsey Holley and Sarah Fisher scored through the shot and discus. Holley was third in the discus while Fisher sixth. Fisher took eight in the shot.
Lexi Horn and Sarah Willis rounded out the Tiger depth at the season opening event for the Mansfield ladies. Horn saw action in the long jump and 100m dash. Willis long jumped and ran the 200m.
CONGRATS LADIES! Go Tigers!
