The heat reverberates from the track, each runner fully aware of how this might affect their race. The relays are lined up with every school having their own lane. Legacy’s first girl steps onto the track and waits for the gun to blow. When it does, all the runners take off, starting the 4X400 meter relay for the evening. Each girl has to run 400 meters, or one lap, around the track. Two have gone by, with a third finishing with as much strength as she can muster.Sophomore Bri Stone qualified for the Texas Relays held in Austin by the University of Texas, March 30th and 31st. Stone ran in two relays, the 4X400 meter and the 4X200 meters, with her teammates who represented Legacy Girl’s Track.
“I think we have a really good chance of making the finals,” Stone said. “We will definitely PR (Personal Record) and break school records.”
Stone has been running track since seventh grade. Stone trains in both the high school track class, as well as on a club track team. Her favorite athlete, who also runs her races of 4X200 meter relay, 4X400 meter relay, and the open 400 meter race, is Jeremy Wariner.
“Hopefully I’ll get to see him and get a picture with him [at the relays],” Stone said.
An event held annually, Texas Relays invites only the top athletes in the state who have the fastest times, the longest jumps, or the farthest throws. The athletes who are going from Legacy are Lexi Mosley, Bri Stone, Victoria Johnson, Kaylei Oliver, Benjamin Ramsey, Taylor Long, Hunter Carlton, Kayla Taylor and Shelbi Vaughan. Mosley, Johnson and Oliver are joining Stone in both of her relays. Ramsey qualifies in the steeplechase, Johnson and Oliver in the 100 meter dash and Johnson in the long jump. Legacy’s pole vaulters are Long and Carlton, and the throwers representing Legacy are Vaughan, Kayla and Taylor.
“I feel really excited. It’s a chance to practice on the big stage,” girls track coach Lacy Bekler said. “It is a great opportunity to get looked at and see what competition is like for State.”
At the girl’s last track meet in Keller, Texas on Saturday, both Vaughan and Taylor placed first and second in the discus and shotput. The 4X400 relay also placed first, with Stone running a new record in the 400 at Legacy, that time being 54.85. Also, Stone won her open 400 race earlier that day.
“I honestly think we will do well [at the Relays]” Bekler said. “It is a great opportunity to get looked at and see what competition is like for State.”
At the girl’s last track meet in Keller, Texas on Saturday, both Vaughan and Taylor placed first and second in the discus and shotput. The 4X400 relay also placed first, with Stone running a new record in the 400 at Legacy, that time being 54.85. Also, Stone won her open 400 race earlier that day.
“I honestly think we will do well [at the Relays]” Bekler said. “The girls will be fresh and will have their momentum from their big performances last week.”
Mosley, Johnson, Oliver and Stone, before every relay begins, tell each other positive and/or motivational things to pump themselves up. They pray as well, both individually and together, and ask for a good performance.
“I want to compete well and represent my school well,” Stone said.
