Indoor track and field received a jolt with the addition of the US Bank Indoor Track Facility in Maysville, Kentucky, allowing for a meet to be held nearly every weekend this winter. These meets, along with the addition of events at high schools such as Henderson County, Daviess County, and Larue County, made for more opportunities for the best to perform. As in previous years, two top-notch meets were held in Lexington at the University of Kentucky, the Wildcat Classic and the UK High School Invitational. With that being said, Indoor Track and Field received a jolt of another kind with some late winter snow hitting Louisville the first weekend of March, canceling the Mason-Dixon Games, the one indoor in which most of the athletes across the state compete.
KYtrackXC.com is pleased to present the 3rd Annual Indoor Track and Field Awards. The first set of awards is presented to the ladies of Kentucky high school track and field. The awards are in 3 categories regardless of the school classification. The categories are Sprinter, Distance, and Field Event Athletes of the Year.
Sprinter of the Year: Lutisha Bowen (Ballard)
This young lady is presented the KYtrackXC.com Sprinter of the Year for the 2nd time, after taking the spot in 2006. She had an impressive winter, including breaking her own meet record in the Wildcat Classic 200 Meter Dash with her time of 25.77, the fastest in the state of Kentucky. At the UK High School Invitational against some of the best competition in the Southeast she finished 4th in the 60 Meter Hurdles with a state leading time of 9.00.
2008 Indoor Best Times
60 Meter Hurdles – 9.00
200 Meter Dash – 25.77
400 Meter Dash – 1:01.35
Triple Jump - 34-09.50
Distance Runner of the Year: Mary Grace Pellegrini (duPont Manual)
We again have another second time winner with senior Pellegrini taking the nod. Mary Grace Pellegrini has had quite a winter, including running the fastest time in the state of Kentucky in the 800 Meter Run, 1600 Meter Run, One Mile Run, Two Mile Run, and 5000 Meter Run. Mary Grace’s final indoor race of her high school career could be the highlight of her young career. At the Nike Indoor Nationals, Pellegrini finished 2nd in the 5000 Meter Run with a personal best time of 17:48.75. Placing 2nd gave her an All-American distinction.
2008 I€ndoor Best Times
800 Meter Run: 2:22.10
1600 Meter Run: 5:03.62
Two Mile Run: 11:07.64
5000 Meter Run: 17:48.75
Field Event Athlete of the Year: (Tie) Morgan Thacker (RockcastleCounty) & Sharika Smith (FultonCounty)
In its third year, this is also the 3rd time Morgan Thacker has been awarded the KYtrackXC.com Field Event Athlete of the Year. This year she shares it with first-time Indoor awardee Fulton County senior Sharika Smith.
Thacker led the state with a career best jump of 18-00 in the Long Jump. She also jumped 33-10 in the Triple Jump for fourth best in the state. Thacker and Rockcastle County took advantage of the Mason County facility competing three times. Thacker finished 5th in the Long Jump at the UK High School Invitational.
Smith led the state with a jump of 36-03.50 in the Triple Jump. She also led the state with her 55 Meter Dash time of 7.15. Both of theses performances were at the Henderson County Indoor Meet. Smith won the 2007 AAU National Championship in the Triple Jump.
Morgan Thacker
2008 Indoor Best Times
60 Meter Dash: 8.31
200 Meter Dash: 27.62
Long Jump: 18-00
Triple Jump: 33-10
Sharika Smith
2008 Indoor Best Times
55 Meter Dash: 7.15
Long Jump: 16-03.25
Triple Jump: 36-03.50
Indoor track and field received a jolt with the addition of the US Bank Indoor Track Facility in Maysville, Kentucky, allowing for a meet to be held nearly every weekend this winter. These meets, along with the addition of events at high schools such as Henderson County, Daviess County, and Larue County, made for more opportunities for the best to perform. As in previous years, two top-notch meets were held in Lexington at the University of Kentucky, the Wildcat Classic and the UK High School Invitational. With that being said, Indoor Track and Field received a jolt of another kind with some late winter snow hitting Louisville the first weekend of March, canceling the Mason-Dixon Games, the one indoor in which most of the athletes across the state compete.