LEXINGTON — It was a long day for area runners at the Division II Region 6 Track and Field Championships in Lexington on Saturday afternoon. However, while no area runners qualified for state, there was still much fun and learning to be had.
In the girls 1,600-meter run, Clear Fork senior McKenzie Roth finished 11th with a 5:45.50.
“I’ve never run the mile at regionals before,” said Roth. “I’m usually an 800-meter runner. I was excited to run the mile. I didn’t do as well as I wanted to. Overall, I’d definitely say that I gave it my all. I left it all on the track.”
Andrew Walsh of Northridge put in another strong run (4:53.20), but was 13th in some fast company.
“That was his second-best time ever,” said Northridge coach Mike Dudgeon. “These guys are all young. Andrew’s a sophomore. Michael (Derringer is) a freshman. They see people in the stands and, down in the bullpen, they get really nervous and excited. It’s good to get a year of experience here. I tell them to have fun and enjoy what you are doing. Learn something from it. You’re running against a lot of upperclassmen. You will be one of those in a couple of years.”
Walsh’s senior teammate, Derek Hull, was seventh in the boys 400-meter dash with a 50.91.
“That was also his second-best ever,” said Dudgeon.
In the girls 3,200-meter run, Clear Fork junior Erika Garn placed 11th (12:37.14.)
“Well, I went out there and tried my best, but it didn’t end up like I wanted,” said Garn. “I was happy to make it this far.”
It was a different experience running in front of so many people.
“It was really exciting,” said Garn. “It also gets the nerves, too.”
Derringer was 16th in the 800-meter run with a time of 11:05.21. The freshman looked on as the awards were being presented. His time will come with hard work.
“My dad coaches me on the weekend,” said Derringer. “My coach helps me with intervals after school.”
He considers himself fortunate to be able to share this with his friends.
“It was cool for the three of us to get here,” said Derringer. “Derek, Andrew and I. It was cool going as a team. It wouldn’t be that fun going alone, though. It’s just awesome getting here.”
In the shot put, East Knox senior Masen Gilbert was 15th at 41-8 3/4.
