On May 14 and 15, the State High Track and Field Team broke personal, school, meet and facility records at the District VI Championships. The seniors faced the reality of their last high school track and field district meet while the team celebrated the possibility of moving on to States.
The State High boys placed first at 224 points while the girls placed second at 203 points. The Altoona girls placed first at 204 points, making it a close call between the two girls’ teams.
The first day of the meet was gloomy and cold, so students wore layers and ate hot food in whatever sunlight they could find. The sun made a big appearance on the second day, leaving students hunting for shade and pouring water down their backs. “I was really trying to stay relaxed most of the time, stay out of the sun,” junior Lydia Tate said, acknowledging the heat.
Tate placed second in the Discus (124-06) and Shot Put (36-01.00) and qualified for states in Discus.
“I think I did pretty good. I’m obviously never satisfied, but I think today was a good way to lead into States,” Tate said.
State High athletes prepare for big meets like this in many different ways.
“I had cream of wheat this morning and felt really good afterwards,” sophomore CJ Clemons said after placing third (45-01.75) in shot put. “I didn’t think I would place this high in my sophomore year.”
Senior Sanai Abdullah broke personal, meet and facility records in her gold medal long jump performance(19-05.25). In the boys 3200m, senior Isaac Oppermann placed first (9:10.23), and broke personal, meet and facility records.
In the girls 4x800m relay, juniors Devon Jackson and Julia Bigger, senior Devyani Wadhia and freshman Evie Younkin placed first (9:17.67), breaking the meet and facility records.
“It’s bittersweet. I mean, I’m really sad, but I’m also really happy with all the memories and where the team is heading,” Wadhia said after her final event.
By the end of the night, pictures were taken and tears were shed. “It was a little bit rough. Like, it was good, but we definitely had some tears at the end, but it was awesome to be with my team for one last hurrah,” senior Lové McGriff said.
The State High athletes were excited to realize their track season wasn’t quite over yet, whether it was because they moved on to states, or because they knew they could continue cheering on their fellow teammates and hold onto their senior friends for an extra week.
