Woodford County athletes competed at the KHSAA Class 3A state indoor meet Wednesday, March 4 in Louisville, with a handful of Track Jackets reaching the podium. The annual state meet is a measuring stick for many of the state’s top competitors as they enter the outdoor season later this month. Coach Adam Swingle’s track team is hoping to host home meets later this spring once all the equipment ordered arrives at the new high school.
On the girls’ side, WCHS senior Charla Gormley placed third in the girls’ 55-meter hurdles (8.75).
“I feel this indoor track season was very exciting, especially knowing it was my last indoor state track meet,” said Gormley. “I did my best with mistakes, but was still able to get third and beat the school record. This season has prepared me for my final outdoor track season, and I hope to do my best and make as many memories as possible.”
Hannah McColl placed third in the 55-meter dash (7.27) and third in the 200-meter dash (25.32).
“This year at state actually made me realize the type of competition that I actually have,” said McColl. “I had one goal that day, and it was to get top 3. Not only did I reach my goal, but I hit a 200 time that is crazy-insane for me to run at all, indoors. I’m incredibly happy with the whole meet itself. I haven’t felt that way about my races in awhile. And I can’t wait to see how much I can push myself to get more times like this, and maybe set the same goal for outdoor. After having that rush of “if I just ran that indoors, what can I do outdoors?” is gonna push that side of me that’s gonna become a problem for other girls, because not only am I going to have fun, but I’m gonna try and win. I’ll do whatever it takes to get those times. I will have to wait and see what outdoor has in store for me this year. But I know it’s gonna be good.”
Maddie Rabinowitz finished 17th in the girls’ shot put (28 feet, 6.75 inches). I’Yana Leath placed sixth in the girls’ triple jump (33 feet, 10.25 inches) and 11th in the long jump (15 feet, 11 inches).
Ainsley Nuckols placed third in the girls’ pole vault (10 feet) and Abigail Crowe finished 12th (eight feet).
“I felt pretty good about my performance,” said Nuckols. “I tied my outdoor personal record from last outdoor season and placed third. I also had a close attempt at 10-feet, 6-inches. Higher bars are definitely coming soon. The results and the meet as a whole, I felt, set me up well for the outdoor season. I am looking forward to finishing out my high school career strong.”
On the boys’ side, Elijah Ward placed 20th in the boys’ 55-meter dash (6.81) and Mo Hash finished ninth in the shot put (48 feet, 2.25 inches).
“I feel like I personally underperformed, but I feel like I know what I’m capable of and I’m going to use that to drive myself for a better out door season,” said Hash. “Im really looking forward for discus this year, I feel like it’ll be a big year to also hopefully get some school records.”
“This was my first year running indoors,” said Ward. “It was a great experience for me, especially making it to state, only running one meet to qualify. I felt I could’ve run a better race, but I know that I still have a lot of time to prepare for a big outdoor season. I’m looking forward to this outdoor season, being able to make it to state in individuals (100 and 200 meters), as well as having a top time in the state. I have confidence in this because of the coaches I have and the teammates who will push and help me accomplish this goal.”