By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
WICHITA -- Highland Park sophomore Victoria Reed is a state-class sprinter in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes, but there is no doubt that the 400 is her favorite, despite the fact that it is the longest and most grueling race of the three.
Reed added to her impressive resume in that event on Saturday at Cessna Stadium, cruising to the Class 5A state championship in a time of 58.04 seconds.
Highland Park sophomore Victoria Reed earned her first Class 5A state championship in Saturday's 400-meter dash, clocking a time of 58.04 seconds. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"To me it's a game,'' Reed said after her win. "You don't have to get out fast and stay fast. You can catch up and use different strategies. It's like a game to me.
"It's really fun to run. It's tough, but it's fun.''
Adding a little luster to Saturday's state title was the fact that her friendly rival, Shawnee Heights junior Taylor Rottinghaus, made it a one-two city finish in a runner-up time of 59.65.
"I want competition and Taylor is always my competition,'' Reed said.
Reed said Saturday's win provided redemption for her after what she felt was a disappointing state performance as a freshman.
"It really motivated me,'' Reed said. "Last year I came in in 13th and didn't do so well so it motivated me to come here and take charge and take back my victory.''
Reed came back later in the day to earn a second state medal with a sixth-place finish in the 200 dash in 26.95.
Rottinghaus was a big part of a strong state performance by Shawnee Heights sprint corps.
Shawnee Heights freshman Ta'Mijha Nichols hugs her fellow competitors after finishiing second in the Class 5A 100-meter dash Saturday in Wichita. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
T-Bird junior Ta'Mijha Nichols finished a very close second to Kapaun Mt. Carmel's Lillian Harris in the 100-meter dash final, with Harris winning in 11.89 and Nichols second in 11.98.
Nichols, Rottinghaus, senior Hailey Anderson and senior Haley Haltom then teamed up for a runner-up finish in the 4 x 100 relay, with Eisenhower edging the T-Birds in a bang-bang finish. Eisenhower won the event in 49.44 while Heights was right behind in 49.51.
Topeka West junior MaKinsey Jones finished fourth in the triple jump with a jump of 34-9.
