PHS Track Makes History; Brings Home State Champ & 5th Team Overall
Perry track is on the map! After claiming the girls team regional championship last week, a first in school history, they showed up big at the state contest.
The Lady Maroons qualified for state in seven events and positioned themselves as a promising contender for a team state title.
The OSSAA class 3A state track meet took place in Catoosa on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4.
In the 400M race, senior Kennedy Hight finished in 1st place, with a time of 58.14, to capture her third state champion medal of her career in that event. She also impressively finished 2nd in the tough 200M race, with a time of 25.18, beating her previous state performances where she placed third in the 2021 and 2022 state track meets.
Sophomore Alliyah Shrum had a fantastic outing, finishing 4th in the 200M with a time of 26.01 and 6th in the 100 dash with a speedy 12.74 time. Last year she finished 4th at state in the 200M as a freshman.
Making her debut as a freshman at the state track meet was Essie Boschee. She tied for 6th place in the pole vaulting event at a 9-0 height.
The incredible relay team finished 2nd in the 4x100M relay (49.47 time) and 4th in the 4x200M relay (1:46.19 time). Team members include Sarah Davison, Emery Halford, Kennedy Hight and Alliyah Shrum.
Overall, the PHS girls track team finished as the 5th place team in the state, a feat no other Perry track team has achieved.
Coach Travis Cole commented, "I’m very proud of all of our track athletes; they laid a solid path for our program moving forward. Our five state qualifiers did a tremendous job. Kiki finished a stellar career and leaves as arguably the most decorated high school athlete in Perry history. Her contributions to Perry Track and Perry Athletics will be hard to ever match.”
Photos by PHS Yearbook.
Senior Kennedy Hight - 3X State Champ in the 400M race.
PHS representing in the 200M race, placing 2nd (Hight) and 4th (Shrum).