Today, the girls track team will travel to Franklin to compete in the Sectional Championships. The Trojans have 7 athletes seeded in the top three in their events along with three relays that are seeded in the top three, numbers which include senior Hallie Mimbela, who will run the 800 and the 4×400 at the meet.
Mimbela is seeded first in the 800 meter race with a 2:15.12 time, but with Whiteland’s Lena Shipp right behind her at 2:17.80, she will have to push in order to qualify for the regional finals for the fourth straight year.
“There’s a girl from Whiteland who’s pretty close behind me and she definitely will try and run with me, so it’ll be good that I have that competition,” Mimbela said. “It’s definitely nerve wracking knowing how I had to get there last year and how much I had to push, and knowing I have to do that again. I’m not super worried, because I just know I can do it, but it is a bit nerve wracking.”
Mimbela’s race is one of many that will feature close finishes. With a competitive sectional, the races will not prove to be impactful, but also entertaining.
“I think what’s most exciting is the kids that I think are in a battle to try to advance,” head coach Wesley Dodson said. “I’m really excited to see our 4×100 compete, because last time we dropped the baton and I really want to see where they’re at. I want to see [junior] Channing [Hazzard] battle it out with the girl from Whiteland in the 100 and 200. Hallie Mimbela has a great race in the 800 with another girl from Whiteland. They’re really close, and really competitive, so I’d like to see where we end up.”
Junior Olivia O’Haver is a member of the 4×400 relay, the last event of the meet, but will also lead the Trojans in the open 400 meter race as well. O’Haver is seeded fourth in the sectional, but will look to overcome the seed with strategy and her mindset.
“The 400 is really mental and just going into it with a positive mindset and knowing that I’ll be close within the top spots [is key]. I’m also in Lane 4, so I’ll be behind the top girl, and I think the whole race, just staying with her, and keeping a positive mindset throughout the whole race will help me get to the top spot,” O’Haver said.
The Trojans will also have an interest in performing well in their field events, where they have seniors Khloie Walker and Hannah Smith in the pole vault, along with senior Emerson Vlcan in the high jump and junior Luci Barile all ranked in the top three of their events. Junior Luci Barile is ranked third in the shot put and fourth in the discus, which means she will have plenty of competition to help her achieve her goals.
“Our Sectionals and Regionals are some of the hardest in the state, mainly because a majority of the top throwers in the state are in our [regional],” Barile said. “I think I stack up pretty well. I’m ranked pretty good, and with Sectionals my competition is more mental. The goal is to show up and have one of my first throws be a really good one, so that way it kind of psyches out my opponents and throws them off track.”
In the end, this sectional will be yet another trial to overcome for the Trojans in their road to state, adding extra motivation for them to do well to qualify for regionals.
“Running in the sectional definitely adds motivation to my race as I am trying to compete for a regional placement. However, as my senior season is coming to a close, I am just trying to get a personal best and end my high school career on a good note,” senior Lizzie Moreno said.
