Jeff’s McQuay captures HCC discus, shot put titles

Martina McQuay’s brother, Carl, possesses a burst of speed and a rare leaping ability that helped him win Indiana’s Mr. Track and Field award last year.

She does not run and admits she can’t leap, but she has found her niche as a student-athlete for Lafayette Jeff’s track and field program.

“I tried long jump and I got this far,” McQuay said, holding her hands just feet apart. “I thought that maybe this isn’t for me. Maybe throwing is for me. I am more explosive and have quick feet. It’s working out pretty awesome.”

In the final home meet of her career, McQuay battled imperfect conditions to earn a pair of Hoosier Crossroads Conference championships in the final season in the league for Jeff, Harrison and McCutcheon.

McQuay won the discus (128-5) and completed a double with victory in the shot put (39-3¾) under the dark skies at Scheumann Stadium.

With the sectional next Tuesday, it was the confidence boost the Lafayette Jeff senior was seeking coming off wins in both events at last week’s City/County meet.

“I am having a really good few weeks, so it is really preparing more for sectionals, regionals and state,” said McQuay, who plans to throw at the University of Indianapolis next year.

In a meet won by Hamilton Southeastern, the Bronchos finished eighth on the strength of McQuay’s performances, Julia Randolph’s fourth-place showing in shot put, Anna Ripke’s fifth in discus and Sherelle Richards’ fifth in the 100 hurdles. Harrison was sixth and McCutcheon, competing without standouts Shaylynn Newkirk and Elizabeth Burton, finished 10th.

The Mavericks got a pair of top-six finishes in the hurdles events from Haley Burge.

Last season, McQuay was a discus specialist. Jeff throws coach Jerry Madlung worked with her on technique in the shot by teaching her to spin and throw, rather than step and throw as the rest of the competitors in the HCC meet did.

After winning her first HCC title, McQuay’s shot went almost a foot and a half farther than runner-up Blake Inglis of Fishers.

McQuay was one of three double event winners, joining Westfield’s Karen Hubbard (100, 200) and Noblesville’s Rachel Mather, who broke meet records in the high jump (5-9) and pole vault (12-6).

Harrison junior Georgia Lawlor exited the HCC on a high note, running away from the pack to win the 100 hurdles in 15.89 seconds. Lawlor was second in the high jump and fourth in both the pole vault and 300 hurdles.

“I have a really nice cut on my leg from practicing (hurdles) on Saturday, but it was great,” Lawlor said. “All my training came into play.”

Lawlor’s night highlighted the last tune-up for the Raiders prior to what is expected to be a battle with West Lafayette for the sectional championship next Tuesday on Harrison’s home course.

Eleanor Sammons was third in the 800 and Arvietta Williams (shot put), Jaden Mattox (long jump) and Emma Smith (100) all had fifth-place finishes.

“This is such a good meet to really see where we are,” Lawlor said. “The PRs we get this week, it’s really going to put us into place for sectionals and get us pumped up.”