Six girls from the track team will move on to the UIL State Track Meet this Friday after placing second at the regional track meet.

Sophomores Mackenzie Grimes and Caitlynne Speegle, freshman Alyssa Harris, and junior Madi Rolan placed second behind Lubbock Coronado in the mile relay at regionals, qualifying for state. Also moving on to state, senior Paitlyn Tankersley placed second in discus and senior Erin Doan placed second in the shot put. At the regional meet, sophomore Natalie Davis broke the school record in high jump, while Doan set a new school record in discus.

“Regionals was great for me personally,” Harris said.  “For prelims, the weather was great. It was in the 70s and 80s.”

On the day of finals at the regional meet, the weather deteriorated significantly. Harris said it was very wet and cold.

“Everyone had to be more cautious,” Harris said. “While we were running it actually got so bad there were puddles on the track.  The girl in front of me would kick water in my face, and there was water everywhere.”

Grimes said they have probably only had two or three good weather track meets with no wind, and that most of the other teams always have good weather track meets.

“I saw the weather as an advantage for us,” Grimes said.  “Most of those girls weren’t used to bad weather, but we have definitely trained in it.  It was unexpected, but we knew how to handle it.”

Grimes placed fourth in 100m hurdles and second in 300m hurdles to an Amarillo High School runner.

“I have a better chance in 300m hurdles just because my times are faster,” Grimes said.  “I am better at stronger races like the 300m hurdles and the 400m.”

The Lady Eagle track team placed second to Lubbock Coronado at regionals by 10 points, but Grimes and Alyssa said they are looking for a personal record in the mile relay at state.

“Our coach was pretty happy because we made it to state,” Harris said.  “It was redemption from last year.”

Grimes said their competition at state will probably be a Lancaster High School team because they are known for their relay team.  Harris said they will also be looking out for Lubbock Coronado again.

“We are really looking for a personal record because the weather should be good. It’s Austin,” Grimes said.  “We are just going to have to run our hardest because that’s all we can do.”