Three Qualify for Regional Meet

The record breaking 4x400 relay team of Jessica Tegge, Betsy Whiteman, Ali Yeager, and Bristyl Webb.

The three qualifiers and coaches, Coach Jamison, Nathanael Robinson, Jessica Tegge, Ben Whiteman, and Coach Stiver

The three qualifiers and coaches, Coach Jamison, Nathanael Robinson, Jessica Tegge, Ben Whiteman, and Coach Stiver.

Three Talawanda runners will be competing in the Regional track meet Friday, May 18.  Nathanael Robinson, Jessica Tegge, and Ben Whiteman all placed within the top 4 finishers in the district meet last friday, moving them on to regionals.

Senior Nathanael Robinson qualified the 1600, placing fifth and running  a time of 4:33.03.  This will mark his second year running at regionals.

Sophomore Jessica Tegge qualified in the 800 meter run with a personal best time of 2:20.33.   “It’s really intimidating, there are hardly ever small town public school girls at these meets.” stated Tegge. “It makes me nervous that I’m so young, I will be one of the only underclassmen.”

Senior Ben Whiteman will be competing in the 300 hurdles today to qualify for finals.  Being his senior year, he is really focused on running his best race.  “I wasn’t very happy with my race at districts” said Whiteman, “but disappointment and motivation tend to go hand-in-hand.”

Other noteworthy events from the district meet, the Talawanda school record for the 4×400 relay was broken.  Runners included Jessica Tegge, Betsy Whiteman, Ali Yeager, and Bristyl Webb.  They ran a 4:07.37 breaking the record by 3 seconds.

“I’m so happy we get our name up on that wall!” exclaimed Betsy Whiteman after hearing the good news.

Both the qualifying meet on Wednesday, as well as the finals on Friday, will be held in Dayton’s Welcome Stadium where some of the best runners in the state will be competing.