The tattoo will have to wait, nevertheless, the memory from the 2013 Indiana High School Athletic Association Girls State Track and Field Championship will be a lasting one for Kokomo High School's head coach.
Lead by junior Summer Blackamore, the Ladykats scored 8 points in the final meet of the season and finished 28th of 62 teams. It was the first time KHS had scored in the state meet since 2008.
Blackamore, who is being heavily recruited including several Big 10 universities, threw 42'10 1/4" in the shot put which placed her 5th. She followed that performance up with a KHS school record effort in the discus throwing 132'4" which placed her seventh.
"All you can say about Summer is 'Wow'," said KHS coach K.O. Jackson. "She and (assistant coach) Bobby (Pettigrew) had a game plan. They implemented and it worked to perfection. I told her last fall along with others, it's time to make a business decision regarding track. Put in more time and effort and let's get scholarships. My phone has been blowing up with college coaches so Summmer
business decision really is paying off for her."
The Ladykats 400 relay team of juniors Brianna Lancaster, Ma-Ryssa Martin, Raven Pugh and Iesha Wallace ran a season best 49.54 which placed them 17th of 27 teams and due to injury, junior Anh Pham was unable to compete in the pole vault.
"Simply, we had a very good meet," said Jackson. "Our team goals were to place in the top eight in your event; check. And we always say if we can't place, break a school record or get a personal record; check again. That's success.
"The relay is upset they didn't medal, yet, they got a PR. A PR means you did the very best you could. That's success. They wanted to place and get the school record (48.65) so I could fulfill my promise of getting a tattoo. That will wait for next year. You are happy for everyone who competed and sad for Anh because she would have placed as well.
"We had a very good season that I will remember for a long time. Sure, we wanted more but the best thing is they all return with more BIG meet experience. BIG meet experiences really matter. You add them (state quailfers)with our other student athletes who had a good season along with a couple of eighth-grade distance runners, and we will be a very dangerous team in 2014. Now, catch us. If you can."
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