Frosh runs down Foreman

By Mike Condon

Correspondent

MARION - It looked like Cedar Rapids Washington's Brooke Foreman was on her way to winning another 400-meter hurdles title in last night's Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division meet at Linn-Mar Stadium.

The Warrior senior was in control in final stretch, but a talented freshman was coming on strong. Iowa City High's Sarah Plock kept charging and overtook Foreman at the finish, winning in a time of 1:04.49, just ahead of Foreman's 1:04.53.

“Sarah really has a habit of running that second 200 fast,” City High Coach Terry Coleman said. “People might get away from her in the first half of the race, but she is a closer and she did the same thing against Brooke Foreman the first meet of the year at our place.”

Plock's effort was one of seven wins for the Little Hawks, who cruised to the divisional crown. City High scored 156 points to outdistance Dubuque Wahlert (120) and Cedar Rapids Kennedy (113).

“I just come out and run the way I want to,” Plock said. “I just let them get close to me and that is the one thing that pushes me. That last 40 meters is mine. I know I can beat them if they are still with me.”

Although Foreman was denied in the 400 hurdles, she set a conference record in the 100 hurdles, finishing in 15.41 seconds. That broke the record of 15.44 set by City High's Mariah Jordon in 2009. The Warriors also got wins from sophomore Shannon Gorman in the 1,500 and 3,000.

The night, however, belonged to the Little Hawks. Coleman said he liked the intensity he saw from all his athletes.

“Overall, it was very solid,” Coleman said. “We challenged them tonight to run like they had something to prove. Of the 53 kids we brought here tonight, 45 of them either had season bests or personal bests. I think they really showed what they have been working for all season.”

The Little Hawks were dominant in the field events, winning the high jump and shot put, going 1-2 in the long jump and taking second in the discus.

They won the 100 and took the 400 relay.

Coleman said he likes where his team stands entering the district meet. He said some areas need work, but overall he likes the attitude of the team.

“We're not satisfied,” he said.

“We'll get refocused and get ready for district next week. It's not going to come easy. There are a ton of good teams this year.

“A state title has been the goal from day one. This is a hungry group and they don't like it when they don't perform up to their capabilities.”

Linn-Mar got titles from Courtney Major in the 200 and Rachel Perry in the 400.