43
Courtney Cyrus reaches state final in hurdles; Tigers set school mark
By Charles Grove
COLUMBUS
Division III state qualifiers shared mixed results on Friday. Many moved on to today’s finals while others fell short and ended their seasons a day earlier than they would’ve liked.
Courtney Cyrus got Springfield’s girls off to a strong start when she finished second to automatically qualify to the 100 hurdles final. She’s seeded fourth today.
“It was a relief to be in the top two so you know you’re into the finals and it’s secure,” Cyrus said. “I just need to run how I normally do tomorrow and I hope for the best.”
For Courtney’s sister, Caitlyn, individually it wasn’t her day as she finished 15th overall in the 100 dash, but the 4x200, which she anchors, finished second in her heat and will compete today.
“I was kind of disappointed in my time but I knew it was going to be really tough competition coming in so just being here, especially as a senior is kind of a blessing in itself,” Caitlyn said of her performance in the 100.
But the Tigers broke their school record in the 4x200 and Caitlyn was all smiles in that regard.
“Breaking that record had been our main goal so we’re elated,” Caitlyn said. “It’ll be amazing tomorrow.”
McDonald’s girls found plenty of success in their relays. The Blue Devils finished seventh in the 4x800 final, earning a spot on the podium and came in second in their 4x400 relay, nearly guaranteeing them a second podium picture today.
“It feels great,” Malina Mitchell said. “Our goal was to come out here and just get podium and to accomplish something like that is a great feeling. Not only did we make it here but we made podium.”
McDonald led after the second and third laps of the 4x400 relay before St. Thomas Aquinas won with a late charge, but the time was still good enough for a school record.
“I think we’ve proven we deserve to be here,” Sara Joseph said. “We haven’t really ran together since the last meet but we knew what we were capable of.”
While some were ecstatic to finish second, others had to look at the silver lining. Maplewood’s boys 4x800 relay were looking to defend last year’s state championship, but finished second to St. Thomas Aquinas.
“I think we had a great run to get a trophy,” the Rockets’ Tristan Dahmen said. “It’s still a great accomplishment because I know we gave it our all.”
Warren JFK’s Antonella LaMonica finished fifth in the 100 a year ago. This year she fell short of making today’s final. She finished 10th overall, just missing out on running again today.
“It’s a little upsetting, but things happen for a reason and we’re going to get started working for next year,” LaMonica said. “It was a good race. The competition really pushed me.”
Maura Belding of Crestview had similar luck. She finished 14th overall in the 400 dash but had no regrets afterward.
“I’m a little disappointed but all these girls are great runners so I gave it what I could,” Belding said. “I’m just happy to be here. It was the best I could do. I’m not complaining.”
Today’s Division III finals begin at 9:30 a.m. with Courtney Cyrus looking to win a state title in the 100 hurdles.