COLUMBUS — The announcer said it best with one lap to go in Thursday evening’s, June 4, Division V girls 3200 meters race at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
“One lap to go for Kaitlyn Carr…and everyone that’s following her.”
Yeah, that sounds about right.
That’s the level of distance Smithville senior Kaitlyn Carr was working with as she separated herself from the field and cruised to her second-straight OHSAA state title in the 3200 meters with a time of 10:52.85.
When asked if that time sounded good to her, she said not quite.
“No. I didn’t have the race I was hoping to have. I’m just thankful for this opportunity to come out and run,” she said. “It’s been a blessing these past four years to be able to do that. Nothing I can really complain about.”
After the first lap, Carr was second, but from the second lap to the eighth and final lap, it was her running away from everybody. However, the Division V 3200 regional and district champion was looking for a much lower time.
“I haven’t been running well this season. We’re figuring out what’s wrong,” said Carr, who had to race and run in Smithville’s 4×400 relay about 15 minutes after her victory. “It’s in God’s hands.”
Yep, she said that.
After winning a state title and pretty much sailing through it. Yet for Carr, she sets a pretty high bar for herself, even after taking home another gold medal and being able to call herself a state champion once again.
Carr’s victory on Thursday was her fourth individual track and field state title (two in 3200; two in 1600) and she’ll shoot for a fifth in the 1600 meters on Friday.
One thing she is thankful for is that she doesn’t have to run in the 3200 ever again at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
“I felt strong in the beginning, but as I kept going, it gets harder and harder. Just trying to run a smart race and push through it,” Carr added. “It’s bittersweet. My last 3200. I’m definitely glad I don’t have to run eight laps around this track again but it’s a blessing I could.”
jamessimpson@gannett.com
Twitter/X: @JamesSimpson II
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Smithville’s Kaitlyn Carr repeats as OHSAA state champion in girls 3200 meters
Reporting by James Simpson II, Wooster Daily Record / The Daily Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By James Simpson II, Wooster Daily Record | USA TODAY Network
