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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Relays win could propel Redskins to state crown
HURRICANE -- On the final weekend in April, the Hurricane High girls track team won the Class AAA division in the Gazette Relays at Laidley Field in Charleston.
That victory triggered thoughts that there might be something bigger in the offing for the Redskins. A state championship?
"I said wow. We really do have what it takes," senior Christy Austin, who throws shot put and discus, said Monday during practice at the Hurricane track. "We are very excited and very focused."
The West Virginia High School Track Championships are this weekend at Laidley Field. Action begins Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.
In this week's power rankings on the RunWV website, Hurricane is No. 1, the spot the girls have occupied all season. Wheeling Park is No. 2.
"That means we have to work that much harder to stay ahead," Austin said. She finished runner-up in her two specialties in the 2007 state meet.
Hurricane has only two state championship teams -- baseball in 2002 and golf in 2007.
Hurricane coach Steve Caldwell qualified athletes in 14 events. Of the 17 girls competing, there are just four seniors and one junior. The 2008 team had 50 athletes with 45 being underclassmen.
"We're trying to keep it low key, no undue pressue," Caldwell said. "We try to approach it like it's a regular meet, but we know it isn't. It's time to turn it up a notch."
Caldwell said the state meet caps a three-week run for the Redskins. The first two legs were the Mountain State Athletic Conference meet followed by the Region IV championships. They won both. Their only loss was to Winfield in the Carlos Akers Memorial in early April at Cabell Midland.
On Friday, Class AAA finals are scheduled in the 4x800, shot put, discus, shuttle hurdles and 3200.
"We could make a statement," said Caldwell, knowing he's got quality athletes going in those events.
One of Hurricane's many strengths is sophomore Alex Dent in the 1600 and 3200. She also runs a leg on the 4x800. Her dad, Bubby, still holds the Class AAA mark in the 800. He competed for DuPont in 1984 and ran 1:54.32.
Wheeling Park's Courtney Yeager has the top 1600 time (5:09.70). Preston's Jordan Hamric leads in the 3200 (11:13.08).
"We knew at the beginning of season we might be able to do this," Dent said. "We checked the rankings and knew we had to do better. The Gazette was like a practice state meet. We're into it. We try our hardest every race."
When it comes to speed, Caldwell counts on Carey. The senior is in the 200 and runs the first leg on the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400 relays.
"Nervous," she said. "I'm part of a team that could do something big. At the Gazette, we realized we could do this."
As for strategy on the relays, Carey said, "Get in front and run the best I can."
Crouch, one of eight sophomores who qualified, is No. 1 in the 400 and 800. She's on the 4x800 relay team along with Dent, Sahara Assi and Sarah Davis.
"We all get nervous," Crouch said. "We've got the workouts down. It's time to give it all we've got."
