Discus throwers earn call-backs

As returning state qualifiers, Columbus East sophomore Beyoncey Coleman-Turner and senior Seena Greiwe seemed like good bets to make it back in the discus this season.

But at last week’s girls track and field Franklin Sectional, the duo had off days and finished fourth and fifth. Only the top three earned automatic berths to tonight’s Franklin Regional.

Coleman-Turner and Greiwe, however, knew they still had a chance. As it turned out, both earned call backs in the discus. After the top three from each of the four sectionals feeding into the regional, the next-best four performances in each event are given call backs.

Coleman-Turner and Greiwe were third and fourth on that call-back list.

“It was very nerve racking,” Coleman-Turner said. “I really was hoping that I was going to get pulled in, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

Griewe said she stayed up until 12:30 a.m. the night of the sectional refreshing the results page on the IHSAA website. Results from two of the other three feeder sectionals — Shelbyville and Connersville — were in, but results from the Franklin County Sectional were not.

Already sitting fourth on the call-back list, Greiwe knew she had to beat the fourth-place finisher from the Franklin County Sectional to be assured a berth in the regional. When she finally saw the results on Wednesday morning, she realized she made it.

“I kind of thought I was in, but I didn’t want to get my hopes too high just in case it wasn’t completely accurate,” Greiwe said. “It was just a relief because it was a blessing that I got the second chance. I’m definitely going to use it to my full advantage because I know that second chances aren’t something that can always happen. “

Coleman-Turner, who didn’t know she had made it until Greiwe told her on Wednesday morning, threw 109 feet, 10 inches in the sectional. Her personal-best is 127-11, which came at the Columbus North Invitational early this season.

But at the sectional, she fouled on her first two attempts and had to have a solid third throw just to make it into the finals.

“I was very happy that I get a second chance to redeem myself because I’m not like that,” Coleman-Turner said. “I’m way better than 109. (The throws) were far, but I just couldn’t get them inside (the sector). It’s good to be able to do it again.”

Like Coleman-Turner, Greiwe threw her personal-best at this year’s North Invitational. That throw was 118-9.

In the sectional, Greiwe threw 109-5.

“That was not my best day,” Greiwe said. “I wasn’t very happy with how I threw. I was pretty disappointed, but I’m very happy that I got this second chance.”

Following the discus last week, Coleman-Turner did assure herself of a regional spot in the shot put when she finished second with a throw of 38-1. Greiwe finished ninth in the shot.

Coleman-Turner and Greiwe are seeded 11th and 12th in the regional in the discus, based on their sectional throws. But Coleman-Turner’s PR is well ahead of top-seed Reagan Emberton of Whiteland’s 120-5, and Greiwe’s PR is just below that.

“Their throws weren’t on par of what they’re capable of doing at any time, and I think they know that,” East coach Glen Brown said. “Unfortunately, it might have been the pressure of the sectional, and Seena’s last sectional, but they just didn’t throw well. But what we’re talking about is, they’ve been given a second chance, and they have to take advantage of it.”