McCutcheon senior Burton gets one last run on big stage
A year ago, Elizabeth Burton solidified her status as one of the fastest 400-meter runners in Indiana with a fourth-place finish in the IHSAA state finals at Indiana University's Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex.
That blistering pace of 56.85 seconds was reason to celebrate, but also left a lot to be desired when Burton returned as a senior.
Unfortunately for Burton and her McCutcheon team, a hip injury kept her from competing in the sectional, thus eliminating her from the postseason as an individual.
Burton will, however, get one last 400 run in at the state finals when the girls meet takes place Friday. Being listed as an alternate in the 1,600 relay at the sectional allowed Burton to compete in the regional if she was healthy enough. She recovered, then helped the Mavericks finish in 4:05.65. It wasn't quick enough for a top-three finish that guaranteed a trip to state, but the time was good enough when the IHSAA did callbacks to the fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
The Mavericks are the 22nd seed.
Need for speed
A year ago, Lafayette Jeff's Matt Johnson won the state title in the 100 and helped the Bronchos win the 400 relay. On Saturday, the senior speedster will try to win two more state championships as the top seed in the 100 and 200.
Additionally, McCutcheon's Donnie Blount is the fourth seed and Jeff's DeMarques Jones is the 10th seed in the 100. Jones also is the eighth seed in the 200.
South Newton's Britney Montemayer is within striking distance seed-wise in the girls 200.
Going the distance
West Lafayette is well known for its distance running program. The Red Devils will try to use that to score big points during the boys and girls state finals.
Sophomore Cooper Williams is the top seed in the 3,200 by a second and a half on the boys side and 1,600 runner Jake Cohen could sneak into the top nine. His regional time was two seconds slower than the No. 9 seed.
On the girls side, West Lafayette enters the 3,200 relay as the No. 3 seed behind Carmel and Hamilton Southeastern, with Harrison the No. 11 seed in the event.
Sophomore sisters Kristen and Lauren Johnson are aiming to score points in the mile and two-mile runs. Kristen Johnson is the sixth seed in the 1,600 and Lauren Johnson is third in the 3,200.
Another hurdle
Seniors Tim Wilson of Lafayette Jeff and William Mbongo of West Lafayette have battled back and forth all season in the 300 hurdles. On Saturday, they'll race against each other for the final time in what could be another tight battle. Mbongo — also competing in long jump — is the third seed, with Wilson one spot back.
Wilson also in the fourth seed in the 110 high hurdles.
West Lafayette freshman Alex Deryn rounds out the top nine in the girls 300 hurdles, with North White's Ally Scott seeded 14th.
Harrison's Georgia Lawlor will compete in the girls 100 hurdles and the high jump.
The final battle
When Arvietta Williams won a sectional championship, she admitted it was fellow thrower Martina McQuay of Lafayette Jeff who'd pushed her for four years. Both will compete in the discus. McQuay will be a double-event participant, competing in the shot put as well along with McCutcheon's Kiersten Robertson.
Gopher broke
Clinton Prairie senior Abby Clark is one of three pole vaulters who take a mark of 11 feet, 6 inches into Friday's event, ranking eighth among state qualifiers.
IHSAA STATE FINALS
Girls: Friday; Boys: Saturday
At IU's Haugh Track and Field Complex
Admission: $10
Webstream: IndianaRunner.com