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TRACK AND FIELD
Miamisburg's Wright overcomes deep 1,600 field
Friday, May 09, 2008
A 1,600-meter showdown with the area's best milers wasn't lost on Megan Wright.
"I was so nervous," the Miamisburg High School sophomore said. "Like, all day."
Extras
Wright, Springboro's Carly Hamilton and Janelle Avery of Wayne hooked up for the first time at last week's Wayne Invitational. It won't be the last between the Greater Western Ohio Conference rivals.
The trio pulled away early. They battled a fierce wind, but the real battle wouldn't unfold until the final lap.
Midway through, Avery was dropped. Wright stayed tucked behind Hamilton until the final 150 and emerged out of the last turn in first.
That's how it ended, with Wright (5 minutes, 12.23 seconds) answering every surge by Hamilton (5:13.16). Those are the area's two best efforts.
"I knew they'd all have a strong finish," said Wright afterward, beaming. "I wanted to make sure I did, too.
"I definitely wanted to stay behind Janelle and Carly. I felt at some places I could go faster, but with the wind, they would have a better advantage behind me. So I just stayed back."
That strategy worked perfect. But at the next meeting, Northmont's Hannah Turlington (her season's best time is 5:17.31) should also be in the field. She was a scratch at Wayne because of sickness.
On deck
• Wright and the Vikings will be at today's Lebanon Invitational. Field events start at 4:30 p.m., and running finals start at 5:30 p.m.
• The first Buff Taylor Memorial Invitational will take place Saturday, May 10, at Trotwood-Madison. Prelims and field events are at 9:30 a.m., and running finals start at about 1 p.m.
Taylor coached track at Trotwood, but he had his most success at Jefferson. Under Taylor, the Broncos were multiple boys state champs and produced many state champions.
• If Greeneview is to make a run at the Ohio Heritage Conference girls title Monday at Northeastern, it'll be behind Emily Folino.
The senior is among the area's best hurdlers. She also owns school records in the 300 hurdles (47.94), and the 400 and 1,600 relays.
She'll run track at Wright State University next season.
"I want to get as many records as I can before I go to college," she said.
• The second day of the Firebird Invitational is today at Fairmont.
Contact this reporter at 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.
