Heath's Ferguson, Carmichael tough to beat on track
- Heath teammates Hailey Ferguson and Kayla Carmichael took the top two spots in the 200.
- Granville's Kylee McFarland won the 1,600 and also anchored the winning 1,600 relay.
HEATH – Hailey Ferguson and Kayla Carmichael are quite the 1-2 combination for the Heath girls.
Sometimes, it is just difficult to differentiate who is the No. 1. It does not matter to the seniors. They put their talents on full display Saturday during the Hank Smith Invitational on their home track.
"We like to say we are one and two," Ferguson said. "We like to race because we are pretty even with everything, so it is good competition when it is your own teammate against you."
Carmichael edged Ferguson 12.84 to 12.86 for second and third places in the 100. After Ferguson won the 400 (1:00.30), she got the better of Carmichael by an eyelash 26.672 to 26.675 as the Bulldogs took the top two places in the 200.
Heath finished a strong third with 75 points. Mount Gilead took the team title with 81.75 points, barely edging Granville's 81.5.
"We just wanted to represent our school on our field and defend our turf," said Ferguson, who also joined Carmichael, Abby Wilhelm and Abby Adams on the runner-up 800 relay (1:51.18).
Heath had a mixed bag at the 2014 Division II regional meet. The Bulldogs broke the school records in the 400 and 800 relays but finished fifth in both. Ferguson just missed reaching the finals in the 400.
Breaking under the one-minute mark and eventually the school record of 59.2 would send Ferguson well on her way to having a chance to take a final step.
"This is like our first real invitational because we have been doing relay meets," Ferguson said. "What you do now, you know you can get better from. I really wanted to get under (one minute) this meet, but from what I have shown, I know I can. I really just want to go for our record."
Carmichael, Wilhelm, Rachel Elam and Constanza Bassanese also placed second in the 400 relay (53.95).
Junior Carlos Rencher was a sight for sore eyes for the Heath boys. Rencher, who injured his knee during Week 8 of the football season, broke 52 seconds in his split of the 1,600 relay, which was won by the Bulldogs.
"I feel great," said Rencher, who was competing in his second meet of the season. "I am not in tip-top shape yet, but I am definitely getting there."
Rencher was a regional qualifier in the 400 a season ago and helped the Bulldogs onto to the podium in the 1,600 relay during the state meet. He already is not far from his best.
On Saturday, he was joined by Donny Beistel, Billy Beistel and Nick Lines in the 1,600 relay (3:30.50). Billy Beistel had to hold off a late charge from the Big Walnut anchor.
"(Competition) helps out," Rencher said. "It gets us used to the atmosphere for the big meets later in the season."
The Beistels also combined with Bobby Kazar and Andrae Manning to win the 800 relay (1:33.61).
In the girls meet, Granville's Micaela DeGenero won the 800 (2:18.67), and Kylee McFarland won the 1,600 (5:19.49). McFarland also anchored the winning 1,600 relay (4:09.11), which also included Natalie Price, Destiny Braden and Gracie Dennison.
The Blue Aces' other title came in the 3,200 relay (9:49.48) as Elle Dickerman, Claire Lamb, Alyssa Atkinson and Maddie Long combined to move past Mount Gilead during the middle legs.
"You are worried because you have to bring it home," said Long, the freshman anchor. "If someone passes you, you bring your team down. I was really nervous. When there was 100 meters left (for the third runner), I get all excited because it's my turn. 'I can do this.' "
Newark's Tana Barrett in the 300 hurdles (47.68) and Takia Barrett in the discus (117-2) each placed third.
In the boys meet, Licking Valley's Griffin Butler won the 1,600 (4:34.88), and Granville's Joe Pappas won the 800 (2:02.37).
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