As she works her way toward the end of her high school running days, Houston High School senior Kristen Ely is on a roll.
At the Class 3 Sectionals 3 track and field meet last Saturday at Mountain Grove, Ely won the 800-meter run. She beat an elite field of 8 runners, and her time of 2:31.14 was more than 2 1/2 seconds faster than the runner-up. Competitors at the meet were comprised of top athletes in each event from Class 3 districts 5 and 6 (including 27 boys teams and 23 girls squads). Ely came in as District 5 champion in the 800 and qualified to run at this week’s State Championships meet.
Houston had 11 athletes competing at sectionals, including eight girls and three boys. Two other Lady Tigers qualified for state by finishing in the top-4 in their events: Sophomore Adyson Dailing (3rd in the 300-meter hurdles) and sophomore Summer Seago (4th in pole vault).
“This has been the best track team I have ever coached,” said HHS head coach Mike Tottingham. “They have worked hard, had a team-first mentality, and did everything we have asked of them. That mindset and effort resulted in nine new school records, eight First-Team All-Conference performances, and three ladies making it to the state championships.
“I could not be more proud of all these athletes, and look forward to seeing them get even better next season.”
HHS GIRLS RESULTS
- 100-meter dash: Adyson Dailing, 7th, 13.36.
- 400-meter dash: Kayla Wagner, 5th, 1:03.08.
- 800-meter run: Kristen Ely, 1st, 2:31.14.
- 300-meter hurdles: Adyson Dailing, 3rd, 48.26.
- 4X400 relay: HHS, 8th, 4:27.85.
- Pole vault: Summer Seago, 4th, 2.59m.
- Javelin: Kynlee Weaver, 6th, 33.4m.
- Shot put: Summer Seago, 7th, 9.68m.
HHS BOYS RESULTS
- Discus: Brody Adkison, 7th, 37.54m.
- Javelin: Mason Dodson, 5th, 45.57m.
- Shot put: Maleki Morgan, 6th, 13.11m.
The Class 1 through 3 boys and girls state championships meet is set for this Friday and Saturday (May 23 and 24) at Jefferson City High School.