ADDIE MOORE AND JACKSON GRAY won state track and field titles March 6. (Photo by Bill Caine
The state’s top track and field athletes gathered at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center on March 6 for the Class 3A KHSAA State Indoor Championships, where standout performances from the Track Jackets helped crush school and state records. The team competed in 14 events and crushed eight school records.
Addison Moore had a dominant showing in distance events, claiming state titles in both the 800- and 1600-meter runs. Moore clocked a blazing 2:11.27 in the 800, followed by an impressive 4:50.02 in the 1600, securing first place in both events. Moore’s performances also broke the state and school records, adding to her already impressive list of record-breaking accomplishments.
“The girls that I competed against are amazing athletes and people, and I am lucky to have raced with them today,” said Moore. “I knew that I could run with them, and I wanted to give my best for God and show that my training and coaching had brought me here to do my best today. I have amazing teammates who support and lift me up when needed.
“Having that combination of faith, coaching, hard work, and great teammates is what makes an athlete successful, and I am blessed to have all of those things in my life. I told myself to run because these amazing people are behind me and believing in me.”
Sprinter Hannah McColl showcased her speed on the track, finishing seventh in the 55-meter dash (7.30) and ninth in the 200-meter dash (26.03) – breaking the WCHS record in both races. The Woodford County Middle School eighth grader also made the podium last year, signaling that her future is bright on the track scene.
In the field events, I’Yana Leath delivered a solid performance, placing 14th in the long jump with a mark of 14 feet 10.75 inches and 10th in the triple jump at 33 feet, 10.5 inches to break the school record. Pole vaulters Ainsley Nuckols and Shealyn Coffey also put in strong efforts, clearing 9 feet and 8 feet, 6 inches, respectively, to finish sixth and seventh.
Olivia Dabney placed fifth in the shot put with a mark of 31 feet, 9.5 inches to set a new school record, while Maddie Rabinowitz recorded a throw of 26 feet, 1.25 inches to finish 18th.
On the boys’ side, Jackson Gray captured a state title in the pole vault, clearing 14 feet, 6 inches to secure the top spot in Class 3A and tying the school record. Ryan Hendrix posted a time of 4:30.80 in the 1600-meter run, placing 13th and setting a new school mark.
In the boys’ shot put, Samuel Garrison threw 47 feet, 4.25 inches to claim fifth place, while Mo Hash was close behind in sixth with a throw of 45 feet, 8.5 inches.
“I’ve been working hard on my speed and get harder grips on my pulls to go for higher heights,” said Gray. “To do those things, I need to stay consistent in my runs. Winning the state title was important because I have worked hard on this for the last four years, and to win and see it come to fruition is something (to be) excited about. This gives me confidence going into the spring season. I need to keep working because I can go higher than I did today and will see where I end up when my senior season ends.
The WCHS track team will begin its outdoor season in the coming weeks.