GIRLS TRACK ROUNDUP Ursuline's Bennett takes second

Boardman's Monica Cuevas was third in the 800.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DAYTON -- Ursuline sophomore Cierra Bennett views second place the same way she views fourth place -- nice, but not good enough.
After placing fourth as a freshman, Bennett took second in the 400-meter dash at Saturday's Division II state meet at Welcome Stadium.
"I was running for first," she said. "But I'll take second."
Her teammate, senior Amber Miller, placed sixth in both hurdling events, earning All-Ohio honors as well as a spot on the podium, given to the top eight placers.
"I was hoping to do better," said Miller, who missed her high school graduation on Saturday. "But I didn't fall."
Miller fell during the preliminaries of the 100 hurdles last year, and did not place in either event.
She credits her success to her coach, Art Carter, who also coached Adam Chatman -- last year's state champion in the 300 hurdles.
"He's the best coach," she said. "He's really hard on us. He said that when we're on the track, he wants us to hate him."
Do you?
"All the time," she said with a laugh. "But it makes us better."
Division I
Boardman senior Monica Cuevas placed third in the 800, which was short of her ultimate goal, but was one place better than last year.
"I did everything I could," she said. "At least I think I did. I can't think of a thing I could have changed."
Cuevas was tied for the lead entering the final 200 meters, but fell behind Cleveland Heights Beaumont junior Maggie Infeld (who won for the second straight year) and eventually finished third.
Spartan senior Allison Brager placed fourth in the pole vault for the second straight year, jumping a personal best 10 feet, 8 inches.
"I think I went in too confident," said Brager, a valedictorian at Boardman. "Let me give you a word of advice. When you're up in the air, don't close your eyes."
Division III
LaBrae senior Laura Kreft, an exchange student from West Germany, placed second in the 100 hurdles and third in the 300 hurdles.
"I was very nervous. Meets like this make my nerves go crazy," Kreft said with a laugh. "I'm very pleased. I never thought I would do this well."
Maplewood sophomore Jen Grayson placed fifth in the 100 hurdles and sixth in the 300 hurdles a day after placing third in the high jump.