For their biggest meet of the season to date, the BG track team reserved one of their best overall performances, finishing third out of 12 teams at last weekend’s All-Ohio Championships.
The University of Cincinnati and Ohio University were the only two squads to better the 92 points racked up by the Falcons.
“I was very pleased with our overall performance today,” said coach Cami Wells. “I really like how our athletes approached this week from both a physical and mental standpoint. I’m really proud of the way they went out and competed and supported one another.”
Leading the way for the Falcons point-wise was junior Shantell Lewis who, although not recording a win, collected 13 points through an assortment of solid finishes, which included a runner-up in the 60 meter dash and a fourth-place finish in the 200.
“Shantell is one of our leaders,” Wells said. “She worked very hard to get to where she is now and she certainly showed her leadership this weekend.”
Right behind Lewis was sophomore Brittani McNeal whose total of 12 points was highlighted by a fifth place finish in the 200.
A fine weekend was also enjoyed by TaKarra Dunning who, by virtue of a second place finish in the shot-put, earned herself a provisional spot on the national team, meaning that with quality showings in the next two meets, she has a good chance to make the squad.
“TaKarra has done a terrific job of staying positive and working hard,” Wells said of her senior thrower who was sidelined earlier in the year with a hamstring injury.
“I think this meet shows that I have a fighting spirit to go out and compete for myself and my team,” Dunning said.
She is the Falcons’ only national qualifier.
Absent from the victory column for the first time this season was Whitney Hartman who finished second in the weight throw, snapping her winning streak at six. Hartman also placed eighth in the shot put, giving her a total of nine points.
The Falcons will now take a week to recharge the batteries before competing in the Mid-American Conference Championships on February 27 and 28.
“We will use this week to rest up a bit and prepare ourselves so we are completely ready to go in two weeks,” Wells said.
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Contact sports reporter Chris Rambo at [email protected].
