It’s hard to imagine a state track and field team without a representative from West Liberty-Salem.
Both the girls and boys programs at WL-S have a long tradition of competing at the state meet, and that will continue at the Division III state competition Friday and Saturday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.
The WL-S boys have qualified in the 3,200 relay, the 3,200 and the 110 hurdles, while the girls will compete in the 3,200 relay.
Representing the Tigers’ boys team will be the 3,200 relay team of Quentin Rudolph, Micah Smith, Owen Harrison and Asher Knox, Logan Phillips in the 110 hurdles and Knox and Harrison in the 3,200.
“We are so proud of these guys continuing a fantastic tradition of WL-S Tiger track and field,” said WL-S boys head coach Aaron Lauck. “The boys program now enjoys a streak of 20 straight years of having a representative at the start track and field meet.”
The Tigers’ 3,200 relay team finished fourth at the regional, Phillips was fourth in the 110 hurdles and Knox and Harrison took third and fourth, respectively, in the 3,200 at the regional meet to qualify for Columbus.
Lauck is confident his athletes will be prepared for the big stage this weekend.
“First and foremost, we are hoping all of the guys can have a positive experience,” said Lauck. “We want them to walk in with a realistic game plan and their heads held high knowing they belong at Jesse Owens. We believe they all can go out with a personal record performance.”
Battling the nerves is a key to having success at the state meet. It’s something Lauck and his squad is well aware of.
“It’s impossible not to be a little nervous at this level,” said Lauck. “With that being said, we restate a few things to help them reduce some of the anxiety. We always return to the process and routine of competing. The preparation is always the same. Hopefully, they find continuity and focus in that.
“We also benefit from having a competitive regular-season schedule. We saw quite a few familiar faces at the regional meet from our previous invitationals. Additionally, our Division III regional has been a powerhouse. Our guys know if they make it out at the regional level, they have a shot to be top half of even podium at state.”
For the WL-S girls program, which has won multiple team state titles, getting to the state meet is a norm.
With a young squad this year, head coach Ann Vogel was thrilled to see her 3,200 relay team of Gwen McCullough, Ashley Yoder, Breece Gullett and Mallory Bostick follow in the footsteps of so many WL-S standouts in getting to the state meet.
“The 4×800 getting to state is a testament to their commitment to our program,” said Vogel. “We take pride in representing our school and community at the state meet.”
While some set specific goals for the state meet, Vogel said her group has a very straight forward approach.
“At this level our focus is on giving it our all,” she said. “We’re not concerned about place or time, we want to compete and leave it all on the track. We always talk about giving an effort that makes you proud, and I have no doubt this is what they’ll do on Friday.”
Triad’s Eaton headed back to state
Triad junior standout Cayla Eaton has punched a ticket to the Division III state meet for the second year in a row.
Eaton was a state qualifier a year ago in the 300 hurdles. She earned a state berth again this year in that event after placing fourth in the regional meet last Friday.
Eaton also qualified this year in the 100 hurdles. She took fifth at the regionals, earning one of the at-large state berths to get to Columbus in two events.