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United’s Parks can handle four; South Range sweeps Tier One meet
By Steve Wilaj
HANOVERTON
It’s something Allison Parks always wanted to do — compete in four open events. Actually, it’s something the United senior has often bugged Golden Eagles coach Nancy Miller about letting her try.
Finally, on Monday, Miller let Parks know she was submitting her to compete in the 1600 meter run, 800 meter run, 400 meter dash and 3200 meter run at Thursday’s Inter-Tri County League Tier One Track and Field Championships at United High School.
“I just really wanted to see if I can do it,” Parks said.
She can.
Parks, who will attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., in the fall, placed first in each event. She is now a four-time ITCL champion in the 800, a three-time conference champ in the 1600 and a two time conference winner of the 400.
“I didn’t pass out or anything so we’re good,” said Parks, who was named the girls MVP. “It was really fun. My coach is so amazing. She coaches me so hard and pushes me, so I knew I could do it because of her.”
However, it was South Range that stole the ultimate spotlight. Both the Raiders boys and girls teams earned conference championship titles for the second year in a row.
Emily Moretti took first in the long jump, Andrea Oliver won the high jump and Raianne Mason finished first in the 300 hurdles. Mason set a meet-record with a time of 46.53 seconds.
The South Range relay teams also were victorious. Mollie Pierson, Madelyn Kimpel, Xena Maali and Matti Dunham won the 4x800 while Sarah Spalding, Kameron Hobbs, Elaina Kimpel and Mason placed first in the 4x400.
“These girls just have been a hard working group all year,” Raiders coach Diane Krumpak said. “A lot of girls do different events, try different things and really push each other. This was a goal. They wanted to win this again, so we’re really excited.”
For the South Range boys, Adam Meloy won the 400 and 200, Ben Stebelton won the 3200, Bruce Ware placed first in the discus throw and a squad of Colton Hiner, Stebelton, Jordan Roush and Eric Liston won the 4x800.
“We are thrilled,” Krumpak said. “I’m really proud of our boys for being winning this and battling United — which is a good, good team — so hard.”
The Raiders barely edged United, ousting the Golden Eagles by just six points. Much of United’s damage came from junior Riley Fillman, who was named the boys MVP.
Fillman won three open events: the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles and long jump. He was also part of the victorious United 4x400 relay team.
“Tyler Metille from Mount Union has been training me for a while now and I’d like to thank him for that,” Fillman said. “I was kind of expecting some slower times because I haven’t been running as much lately because my back has been giving me problems. “But I turned in some pretty decent times.”
Crestview’s Maura Belding won two events (the 200 and 100 meter dashes) while Springfield’s Quinn Crowe won the shot put and discus throw events.