(Feb. 13, 2015) Three indoor track athletes will represent Stephen Decatur during the 3A state championships, Tuesday, Feb. 17 at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover.
The Lady Seahawks qualified for states because of their performances during the Feb. 3, 3A East Regional meet at the Baltimore Armory.
Decatur sophomore Jillian Mitrecic pole vaulted 7 feet 6 inches to finish in fourth place in the regional event.
“I did all right. I really wanted to clear 8 feet, but I just couldn’t get over it,” she said.
Decatur sophomore Christina Romano tied for fourth place in the high jump with Caitlin Bowman and Sarah Deresky, both from Northern of Calvert County. They high jumped 4 feet 8 inches.
“I did OK. I really wanted to get 4 [feet] 10 [inches]. I got 4 [feet] 8 [inches] at regionals which is pretty good,” Romano said.
Decatur sophomore Bethany Williams placed seventh with a high jump of 4 feet 8 inches also.
Since they all recorded high jumps of 4 feet 8 inches, the tiebreaker was the number of attempts at lower heights.
“I think I did pretty good,” Williams said. “I got over 4 [feet] 8 [inches] but 4 [feet] 10 [inches] kind of threw me off a little bit. I think my performance that whole time was pretty good.”
The Decatur girls’ team finished 12th and the boys’ squad placed 13th overall at regionals.
“The competition was really difficult. Much different than the competition that we have faced during the rest of the season,” Decatur Coach Jody Stigler said. “I think we did OK at regionals considering the conditions and competition. The facility is not very good and not conducive to having a PR [personal record]. Additionally, it is always tough when you have a three-hour bus ride right before you run in a meet.”
Mitrecic, Romano and Williams are looking forward to competing at states.
“For those going to states, I am hoping that we just have our best performance,” Stigler said. “I want each of the athletes to have their best heights at the state meet.”
It will be Mitrecic’s and Romano’s second appearance at the championship meet and Williams’ first.
“I think I know what to expect this year. I know where they’re going to be starting so I can work on my opening height,” Mitrecic said. “I’m really excited. I’m going with Christina and Bethany so that will be fun.”
Mitrecic said her goal is to clear 8 feet.
“I feel like once you get to 8 feet you really start competing,” she said. “Right now I’m at 7 and a half feet and that’s kind of borderline. Once I get 8 feet I can work on challenging the other girls.”
Participating in the same event, Romano said she and Williams encourage and help each other so they can both be successful.
“It’s my second time going to state. I feel like I know a little more what to expect and how the competition is,” Romano said. “I’m really excited. I want to clear 4 [feet] 10 [inches]. Hopefully we can get 4 [feet] 10 together.”
Williams said 4 feet 10 inches is a height she has had a little bit of trouble with this season. That is the mark she is shooting for at states.
“Other than that, just going to states was really my goal this year,” Williams said. “It’s my first time going to states so it’s a new experience to learn from.”
