May 14: Local Hershey Track Meet
McKenna had a really good time running the 800M in the Hershey Track meet last year so she was looking forward to running it again this year. However, her school this year wasn't quite on the ball and she ended up missing the qualifying race. But thankfully Mr. Mathis, her PE teacher, pulled some strings and got her into the race anyway!
The field of competitors was much larger this year. There were over 40 girls entered in her race! And there was no dividing them...they were all going to run together - Yikes! I could just envision Mac getting trampled to death by 39 other 12 year olds. But luckily, she hustled over to the starting line and managed to line up in the number 5 spot in the front of the pack.
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| I think Mac was thinking, "Holy Cow, this is a LOT of girls!" |
The start was very crowed and McKenna said she got elbowed and pushed around a few times but was able to get out unscathed and settle into a good pace. Just shy of the first 400M, she passed the leader and never looked back. She finished with a commanding lead and a PR of 2:56. First place out of 40?...not too shabby for a soccer player! Way to go Mac! Now it's on to Districts in Richfield next month.
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| Crossing the finish line! |
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| McKenna's Fan Club! |
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First place - 800M (11-12 yr old girls)
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June 11: District Hershey Track Meet
The top two finishers in the local meets got to move on to Districts, which were held in Richfield, UT.
Now Richfield was a little cooler than St. George, which was nice, however the altitude would prove to be a huge disadvantage to the SG girls. Richfield is 2500' higher than SG, yet lower than most of the rest of the state. So we weren't sure what to expect. Again, the top two would move on to the state meet at the end of the month so we were just hoping Mac could do well enough to be able to enjoy that experience.
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| Waiting in the Bull Pen |
The field of girls was much smaller this time around...4! So no crowed start, no pushing or elbows flying. Mac said she really enjoyed this race and didn't really feel too affected by the altitude. She finished second with another PR...2:52! Man, maybe we should get this girl into a running club! It's on to State in two weeks!
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| On to State Meet! |
June 25: State Hershey Track Meet
Here we are...back in Richfield, UT for the State meet. Although these girls are from all over Utah, they are actually competing against girls from other southwestern states who are running in their state meets today as well. The best times are then taken from the Region and move on to Nationals in Hershey, PA in August. So, even though a girl might win her state meet that does not guarantee that she would move on. You have to wait for a phone call telling you that you are in. If you don't get that call by July 10...don't wait by your phone anymore! We told McKenna just go out and have fun and don't worry about how you do. We knew the competition would be much, much tougher here. But what an accomplishment to make it to the state meet, to be one of the top 6 800M runners in the state!
Mac ended up finishing 5th in State with a time of 2:57. Way to go Boo! We are so proud of you!
...and then she had to figure out where to go to find the next clue. They all had to do with dates they had been on while dating. Some of the places were Chilis, Temple Square, tennis courts, and our house. The last clue took her to the new airport where Shawn was waiting for her. He played their favorite song and they danced. She still didn't realize that it wasn't just a "date"...until he got down on one knee, pulled out the ring and asked her to marry him! Of course she said YES!!!
