Folders |
Union Catholic Crushes Distance Medley Relay National Record At NBNOPublished by
With Paige Sheppard Anchoring In 4:35.97, UC Slices Eight Seconds Off National Record In DMR By Emma Zawatski for DyeStat Photos by John Nepolitan PHILADELPHIA - The Union Catholic girls distance medley relay team claimed a national title and shattered the national high school record Sunday at New Balance Nationals Outdoor at Franklin Field.
The reigning indoor DMR champs set to the track on the final day of the meet on a mission to defend their title. The quartet of Sophia Thompson (1,200 meters), Taylor Aska (400), Kayla Devine (800), and Paige Sheppard (1,600) led from the gun and never relinquished their position, dominating the race over all 10 laps (4,000 meters) of the relay.
Union Catholic entered the meet intent on more than just a win. It would only be fully satisfied with their performance if they crossed the finish line with a new national record. “We didn't get the national record at Penn Relays, but we knew it was something we were capable of achieving by the end of the season,” Aska said. “Through all the training and hard work during outdoor, we came out here and knew exactly what we needed to do to obtain it.” The previous national record of 11:20.44, set by the Carolina Cavaliers at last year’s meet, was immediately in danger from the opening leg. Thompson finished her 1,200 in 3:25.76, more than three seconds faster than the Cavaliers’ opening split. “I wasn't trying to hand it off in first place, I was trying to run really fast for the team and to get that national record,” Thompson said. Winning was not the end goal for the team, getting the baton around the track as fast as possible is what mattered most. Last year, UC broke the national record in the 4x800. Earlier this year at the Arcadia Invitational, Union Catholic ran the No. 2 all-time sprint medley relay at the Arcadia Invitaional with 3:48.83. The moment Aska grabbed the baton from her teammate, she wasted no time turning to sprint around the oval for the 400-meter leg of the relay. Her split of 53.69 was the fastest in the event by nearly two seconds. Receiving the baton 10 seconds ahead of the rest of the field, Devine did her job of maintaining the lead for her team. Over the next 800 meters, she split 2:16.79 and handed off the baton to the anchor of the relay more than seconds ahead of national record pace. Sheppard, who had just won the New Balance Nationals Outdoor mile title in meet record fashion the day before, instantly started growing the gap on the second place team. “I knew I was tired but I was gonna go out there and run my best for these girls,” she said. With her teammates cheering her on each lap, Sheppard split a blistering 4:35.97. Coming down the homestretch with the crowd intensely watching the clock, she broke the tape in a new national record of 11:12.20. “I knew we had it,” Sheppard said. “It was just kind of like, how many seconds are we gonna break it by? Using that kind of motivation pushed me to keep going. We're definitely gonna come back and maybe next year try and run even faster.” It took 13 years for Ventura CA and then Cuthbertson NC to break Havard-Westlake CA's national record. by one and two seconds. One year later, UC owns the record by taking eight seconds off. The Vikings finished 21 seconds ahead of the rest of the field, giving the team time to celebrate together on the track. Cheers from family and friends echoed around Franklin Field in honor of the new national champions. “It's so special to have such an amazing team. We all work together and all put it together on the same day,” Thompson added. More news |
