105th Article at the Independent

CLASS AA TRACK AND FIELD: Marshall girls 4×800 meter relay places third, Simpson ninth in 400 meters in final day of Class AA meet

CHRIS DRUMMOND

cdrummond@marshallindependent.com

ST. MICHAEL — A few members of the Marshall girls track and field team ended their seasons — and for one, her career — on a strong note on the final day of the Class AA state meet on Saturday at St. Michael-Albertville High School. The 4×800 meter relay team captured third place while junior Bri Simpson placed ninth in the 400 meters.

The first event was the 4×800 relay, with Marshall’s team consisting of Bellamy Sukalski, Taleigha Bigler, Miracle Tucker and Allyson Sample. Marshall held a brief lead in the race at one point before ultimately finishing in third out of 16 teams with a time of 9:37.30. This would be Sukalski’s last race in a Marshall uniform but she will be continuing to compete in cross country and track and field at Winona State University next year. Tucker, Bigler and Sample will be returning for Marshall next season and all of them spoke on their performance in the race.

“So I went first and my method was to just go and run,” Sukalski said.

“Bellamy put me in a perfect spot and I just tried to put Miracle in the same spot,” Bigler said.

“My leg was third, it was really fun to be up there in that pack and it was really fun,” Tucker said.

“We all ran so well, it was exciting and I was really nervous but it was really fun and happy to be here with everyone,” Sample added.

Sukalski also advocated about the strategy of the team in the event.

“Something we kind of talked about throughout the season especially being a young team is to beat them on the second lap,” Sukalski said. “Don’t spend all your energy on the first lap, let it loose on the second lap and go out have fun.”

Simpson, after placing ninth in the prelims on Friday to make it to the finals, would medal in the same position in the 400 meter dash final with a time of 1:01.75. Simpson spoke about her performance and first time being in the finals and medaling.

“It has been kind of crazy because when I started running the 400 meters I was at 63 seconds and got down to 60 seconds which is really good,” Simpson added. “I didn’t have any goals coming into track this year, I was like ‘Let’s see and try it out’ and I think I did really good.”

Simpson also added that she would like to see her 4×400 relay team in state and win in the sections. She feels that they have a great chance of doing so and that is her goal heading into her senior year.

Marshall girls coach Marie Sample advocated her perspective on both events.

“The 4×800 relay team have been a competitive tight group all season long,” coach Sample said. “I have told them that four strands of the rope is stronger than one strand of a rope for the strength of the team. [Today] they all brought it well and I’m super proud of them.”

Coach Sample advocated on Simpson’s performance and the impact Sukalski leaves on the program.

“Brianna ran really well, wasn’t her best race but she did the best she could,” coach Sample said. “This is her first year of wanting to get something done in track. This is the strongest I’ve seen her physically and mentally, she’s a great teammate and a hard worker.”

“Bellamy is a strong competitor, she has been with us since the seventh grade,” coach Sample added. “She will be missed, we have some big shoes to fill. She’s been dependable, a great leader and always put you in a good spot.”

This is Marshall’s 11th time out of 13 years that Marie Sample has been coaching where the 4×800 relay team has participated in state competition.