Lautzenheiser sets new distance marks

Two meet records fell, and more than a handful of athletes hit state meet qualifying times and distances, as female runners and field event competitors took their marks in the Dominion District Outdoor Track Championships on May 18 and 19 at Manchester High School.

Midlothian’s Kathleen Lautzenheiser played a part in all three record-breaking performances. First in Tuesday’s running of the 4x800-meter relay, Lautzenheiser joined teammates Meghan Mulroy, Claire Benjamin and Amy Witt for a time of 9:46.83 besting the old time of 9:51.54 set in 1995.

Next to fall by the wayside was the 1,600-meter run record of 4:58.64 set in 1992 by Kim Goode. Lautzenheiser stayed with the pack on the first lap, but seeming to run out of patience, slipped past the rest of the field and cruised 12 second win over her nearest competitor with a time of 4:54.76.

Cosby’s Megan Moye (5:06.72) and Witt (5:08.04) hit state-qualifying times in the event.

After an hour and a half to gather her steam and collect her thoughts, Lautzenheiser’s winged-feet again hit the track for the 3,200-meter run. This time she wouldn’t just break the record, she would shatter it.

Wendy Neeley’s record time of 11:03.84 sat untouched for 25 years until Lautzenheiser crossed the finish line on Wednesday. She didn’t even trail for a full lap before setting a smoking pace for the field. She bested the old record by over 16 minutes with a time of 10:47.68.

The top four in the event – Lautzenheiser, Moye (11:10.78), Claire Benjamin (11:15.68) and Kaila Blackburn (11:17.54) – all hit the state qualifying mark with Midlothian’s Kara Dickerson (11:36.99) and Krista Willard (11:40.40) rounding out the top six.

And it was the running challenge from Midlothian that would threaten the top teams in the point standings all day.

After the first day of competition, Cosby head a 14-point lead over James River – 49-35 – with Midlothian in sixth place with 26 points.

The Lady Titans picked up points with a first-place finish by sophomore Courtney Parker. Her discus throw resulted in a toss of 94 feet, seven inches. Additionally, Cosby picked up three second place finishes from the 4x800-meter relay team of Moye, Alaina Redd, Amanda Steinman and Elena Wirz (9:51.78), Katie Minczuk in the high jump (4-10) and Logan Edwards in the discus (93-07). But they knew the lead would be tenuous when the Lady Trojans put on their running shoes in the second day of competition.

Kendall Sims issued the challenge for Midlothian in the first event of the day. She finished second in the 100-meter dash in 12.82 seconds. Lautzenheiser, Witt, Benjamin and Willard took four of the top five spots in the 1,600-meter run to add to the total.Witt (2:22.32) added a first-place finish in the 800-meter run.

But Cosby rose to the challenge.

Titan runners claimed five of the top six spots in the 400-meter dash. A second place finish from the team of Jordan Carter, April Peterson, Lauren Miller and Powell in the 4x400-meter relay added some cushion as the Titans earned a 149-112 win over Midlothian in the team standings.

“I think the key was just our all around depth,” Cosby coach Bryan Still said. “We were fortunate this year to have some good distance runners, good sprinters, and they all came and showed well today.”
Cosby tied with James River for the regular season team championship.

Nikki Nunn, who missed her own long jump record set in 2009 by just 2.25 inches, took home Field Event Athlete of the Year honors, and Lautzenheiser was named Runner of the Year. Cosby head coach Bryan Still was named Coach of the Year.

Results in Tuesday's and Wednesday's scoreboard.