Girls track and field hurdled one step closer to a state championship after a fourth place finish at the Regionals meet.
The team had high expectations for themselves, hoping they could finish at the top of Regionals.
“I expected the girls to place well and make a lot of state cuts,” junior Filip Jankovic said.
Unfortunately, the day didn’t go as well as the girls would have hoped. Starting with weather that was ever changing, along with a fall that cost a female runner the race, a state cut, receiving a key injury.
All that added up to a solid but somewhat disappointing fourth place finish for the girls.
“I thought the girls would have finished better than fourth place,” senior captain Jimmy Feiten said. “They’re such a strong team.”
However, the region contained some of the best talent in the state, including Rochester; the second best ranked girls track team in the state.
“Oakland County consistently has some of the best athletes in the state,” Track Coach Dolan Street said. “So Regionals is always tough.”
There were some bright spots in the day, however.
The 4x800 relay finished third, making the state cut with a time of 9:44. The team consisted of Ande Giancarlo, Tess Wilberding, Aubrey Wilberding and Selena Wallace.
“It’s my first time going to States so I’m really excited,” freshman Tess Wilberding said.
Wilberding also qualified for the State cut individually in the 3200 meter run with a time of 11:36.7. Her sister, Aubrey Wilberding, qualified individually as well, in the 800 meter with a time of 2:18.
The girls, who qualified for States, while young, are still expected to be competitive.
“The girls are going to do very well, we’ll get a couple places, but States is always tough,” Street said.
