By Kyle LoJacono
A week after winning its second district title in as many years, the Steinbrenner girls track and field program finished as regional runner-up for the first time at Leto April 25.
The Warriors were fourth last year at regionals while competing in Class 2A. The squad moved up to 3A and rose to the challenge by scoring 41 points.
“You have 30-something teams, so you have to come out and compete strong to finish second,” said Steinbrenner coach Ladd Baldwin. “When you come to a big meet like this you want to know you’ve prepared them the right way.”
The Warriors set the tone in the day’s first race. The 4×800-meter relay team was in sixth place on the final lap, but Lauren Garris made up ground to finish fourth (9 minutes 55.65 seconds), the last advancing spot.
“They made a big move to qualify for states, and I think that showed everyone OK we can do this,” Baldwin said. “They were seeded seventh and ran 13 seconds faster than the school record.”
Jessica Brewer placed fourth in the long jump with a new personal record (PR) 16 feet 11.5 inches.
“When I was taking my last jump I knew I was fourth or fifth, so I told myself jump a little bit farther,” Brewer said. “Pull your heels up more and do it.”
Alexis Wright qualified in her three events, placing second in the 100 hurdles (14.65) and triple (37-3.75) and claiming the 300 hurdles crown (45.48), her last event of the day.
“I wasn’t satisfied with how I did this morning,” said Wright, who won regionals in her three events last year. “I’m definitely capable of more.”
Baldwin said Wright’s ability to rebound in her final event shows her toughness.
“She feels like people expect her to do well, and she has that internal pressure,” Baldwin said. “She’s going in her best events, and we have another week to get her ready.”
Wright’s championship came from Lane 2 after finishing seventh in prelims.
“The lane you’re in is just a number,” Wright said. “Everyone is running the same distance. I laid my heart on the line and went for it.”
Wright won the 100 hurdles state title last year and said the regional performance is fuel.
“There’s always someone out there better than you,” Wright said. “It’s either go get them, or you’re going to settle. I’m not one to settle. My flame is burning, and I’m ready to go out there and get anyone.”
The Steinbrenner distance boys also showed off. The 4×800 won by finishing in 8:05.8. Three members of that relay qualified individually, Matt Magee in the 800 (second place, 1:57.4) and Tyler and Zach Lima by finishing second (9:39.95) and third (9:40.03), respectively, in the 3,200.
“It’s our first states, and it’s actually our first time in regions,” Tyler said. “Zach pushed the pace. Without him I would have slowed down some.”
Zach, who PRed by 23 seconds, said he wanted to keep up with his twin.
“That’s how I run in practice,” Zach said. “We both changed our training this year. It was all about pace work and strength. We basically had no light workout days since cross country.”
The 3A state meet is May 4 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.
Cowboys sweep hurdles
Gaither hurdlers Samson Moore and Paul Barrett won the boys 110- and 300-meter hurdles at the Class 3A regional meet April 25 at Leto.
Moore, a freshman, set a new school record by finishing in 14.36 seconds.
“I didn’t suspect to get to states, but I thought if I kept up my goals I’d make it,” Moore said. “I had a bad start. I was probably last out of the blocks. I have to get better at that.”
Barrett, a senior, completed the sweep by posting a personal record 37.85 to make consecutive state appearances. Barrett said he will share with Moore what states is like so they both have a chance to medal.
“I didn’t know what to expect last year,” Barrett said. “I came out and those guys were fast. I didn’t even make the finals. This year I want to make the finals. That’s the first hurdle.”
The Gaither girls advanced Kiana Bryant, who took third in the 100 (12.29).
The 3A state meet is May 4 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.
Akachukwu’s eventful day
Freedom junior Sandra Akachukwu left the Class 4A regional track meet at Leto April 25 with more individual championships than anyone.
The King transfer claimed the long jump (17 feet 7 inches), her first event of the day, along with titles in the 100-meter (12.41 seconds) and 200 (25.33). She was also second in the high jump (5-4)
“It feels really good,” Akachukwu said with a smile. “It tells me that I really belong.”
Akachukwu was doing but smiling the week before at districts when she won the 100, but was runner-up in the other events.
Patriots assistant Ryan McGee, who coaches Freedom’s sprint and jump athletes, said Akachukwu was disappointed by clearing 5 in the high jump at districts, which affected the rest of her day.
“It all started when she won the long jump today,” McGee said. “We knew what to expect the rest of the meet.”
Akachukwu said winning the long jump gave her the confidence needed to claim the trifecta. McGee added making it to states in her events is extremely difficult.
“That’s a hard four events she does,” McGee said. “You’ve got a lot of running in the 100 and 200 plus jumping as hard as you can. That separates her. I can’t stress how proud I am of her.”
Freedom’s boys send the 4×100 (fourth place, 43.24) and 4×400 (third place, 3:30.14) relay teams after none of their athletes qualified last season.
“Our coaches have been pushing us every practice,” said Anthony Hendry, who runs the anchor of the 4×400. “There’s no messing around, so when we get to the meet it’s game time.”
The 4A state meet is May 5 at Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.
Barhonovich medals at states
Bishop McLaughlin’s Evan Barhonovich placed seventh at the Class 1A state meet April 27. The senior threw the discus 136 feet 6 inches. No other area athlete finished in the top eight of their event to earn a medal.
