TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE Lisbon's Brickner gears for key meets

She won the 3200 and 1600 at the league track meet.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EAST PALESTINE -- Lisbon High distance ace Lindsay Brickner had a lot on her mind during the 3200-meter race at the Tri-County League track and field meet this week.
Running way ahead of the field, she had plenty of time to think. So, what was she thinking about?
"My mind was wandering," she said Thursday. "I was thinking about school work, people cheering for me, winning the race and all kinds of things. Meets like this aren't that stressful. I don't start getting scared until districts."
Brickner had no reason to even be nervous. The senior breezed to victories in the 3200 (12:41) and 1600 (5:51) and anchored Lisbon's third-place 3200-meter relay team. Her efforts were rewarded by being named the MVP of the girls meet.
"I was just trying to win both races," said Brickner, who defended her title in the 3200. "I thought about going for the 3200 record, but after the first mile I didn't feel that great so I just decided to win it. It's hard to get the record when no one is pushing the pace."
Competition won't be a problem next week at the Division III district meet at Lakeview. Brickner finished third there in 2003 and went on to miss a state meet berth by one place, taking fifth at the Navarre regional meet.
"I really want to make it to state this year," said Brickner. "I was disappointed with my times today, but with the competition I'll see in the next few weeks, I'll run faster. My goal is to make it to state in my senior year."
Brickner's 21 1/2 points led Lisbon to a third-place finish in the team competition. United finished second.
East Palestine won its eighth straight TCL meet, setting a new record. The Bulldogs scored 140 points to hold off United's 102.
Boys win also
On the boys side, East Palestine won its fourth straight league meet with 133 points. Columbiana took second with 84 and Lisbon was third with 72.
The Bulldogs scored 55 points alone in the 400, 800, 1600 and 3200. Corey Chick led the way with a first-place effort in the 3200 and second place in the 1600.
"We had two big goals this year," explained East Palestine coach John Daubenspeck. "Go through the regular TCL season unbeaten and win the league meet. We were able to do both.
"We've built a strong tradition here and these kids worked hard to maintain that. They buy into winning team championships and know that individual success is part of that."