5 athletes to compete at state track meet

By Sam Waller

Five Albany athletes will be trying to go faster, higher, and farther Friday, May 13 at the Class 2A state track meet at Myers Stadium in Austin.

For the boys team, Tye Edgar is entered in the pole vault, Cole Chapman in the triple jump, and Adam Hill in the 110 hurdles.

“Any time you go to Austin, your goal is to perform well,” boys coach Rod Britting said. “If you perform well and things work out, and you get on the awards stand, then that’s gravy. If you make it to the top, even better.”

The girls team is sending high jumper Sarah Cotter and shot putter Kiana Roberson.

“My goal is for them to go down there and jump and throw their best,” girls coach Ryder Peacock said. “If that puts them on the medal stand, that’s great. Our goal is to have our best day and see where that puts us.”

All five locals are in position to score points based on their performances at the Region II-2A meet.

Cotter, the only senior in the group, is tied for the first seed after clearing 5-3 at regional, but she has gone as high as 5-6 this spring. After winning the state girls singles title in tennis and placing fifth in the state journalism contest, Cotter is no stranger to dealing with the pressure of a state event.

“It definitely helps with confidence,” she said of her recent success. “Being at that level a few times gives me some reassurance. I know I can do it.”

Roberson is seeded fifth at 36-3, just two inches out of third. The sophomore said being able to concentrate on just one event should prove beneficial.

“I’m sure that will help me,” Roberson said. “I won’t be worried about getting hurt in another event and being unable to do the thing that matters. I’ll have a lot more time to focus on the one event instead of the two or three events I’ve done in the past.”

Peacock said both Cotter and Roberson are in good positions.

“Both of them have an opportunity to do well,” he said. “They’re both right in the mix.”

Hill is seeded second in the 110 hurdles at 15.00, just a hundredth of a second out of the top spot. He ran 14.82 in the regional prelims. Like Roberson, his workload will be lighter than normal.

“Last year, I was disappointed in how I ran at the regional meet, so my main goal this year was to get to state in at least one event,” Hill said. “My workouts are surrounded by one thing. I don’t have to worry about doing any extra stuff.”

Britting said Hill faces a competitive field with the top four qualifiers separated by 0.03 seconds.

“It’s a toss-up,” the coach said. “It’s just a matter of whoever runs a clean race and doesn’t let the situation get to them.”

Chapman is returning to the state meet after competing in the high jump last year. The junior is seeded third at 45-6, less than two inches out of second.

“Being there last year will help me not be as nervous,” he said, “just knowing the process of what you’ve got to do warming up, going to the meet and jumping.”

Britting said Chapman knows what it takes to perform well at state.

“I’d like to see him get on the awards stand,” Britting said. “He’s right there in the mix.”

Chapman is following in the footsteps of his father, Clint, who went to state in the triple jump in 1992.

“He’s helped me in triple jump, told me to try to beat his personal record,” the younger Chapman said. “That’s my goal. I’m either tied with it or close.”

Edgar is tied for the fifth seed in the pole vault at 13-6. The junior said the key to success is being properly prepared.

“A lot of it is the mindset,” he said. “You’ve got to have a good night’s sleep and wake up in the morning and get everything ready.”

Britting said Edgar can contend for a medal with a good performance.

“Tye’s right there where he’s got a chance to get on the medal stand if he’ll just do what he’s capable of,” the coach said.