Columbus North’s Katherine Rumsey hands the baton to Julie Klaus in the 4x800-meter relay in Tuesday’s Franklin Regional.
Sam Findley | For The Republic
FRANKLIN — Columbus North’s girls set the tone for a strong night of distance running with a fast opening race Tuesday night.
Junior Brianna Newell, senior Katherine Rumsey and juniors Julie Klaus and Lily Baker blazed a 9 minute, 14.85-second 4×800-meter relay, shattering the school and sectional records and propelling the Bull Dogs to a runner-up overall team finish behind Center Grove in the Franklin Regional.
“Coming into today, I knew it was an opportunity to break that record, and I was really proud of the whole team for working hard and putting in our part to make it happen,” Rumsey said.
North, which finished third at state in the 4×800 relay last season, led from start to finish in that race.
Columbus North’s Lily Baker takes the baton from Julie Klaus in the 4×800-meter relay in Tuesday’s Franklin Regional.
Sam Findley | For The Republic
“Coach told us our race plan, and it was to go out the first 200 and then hammer it for 600 and really focus on getting through that last 200,” Baker said. “I just had to do what I could, and I’m happy with that. That’s our first fast 4×800 of the season, and I’m excited for state because we’re going to have actual competition that will help us go faster.”
That would not be the only record the Bull Dogs would set on Tuesday. Baker came back with a 2:14.80 to win the 800, breaking her own school record and making a return trip to state in that event.
“I’m really happy with my performance in the 800,” Baker said. “It was hard, but I just tried to stay mentally tough the whole time.”
Columbus North’s Brianna Newell competes in the 1,600 meters in Tuesday’s Franklin Regional.
Sam Findley | For The Republic
Meanwhile, Newell and Rumsey also came back with individual victories. Newell won the 1,600 in 5:06.16 to return to state in that event.
“Last week, I wasn’t expected to run by myself because there was supposed to be another (top-level) girl, so that was a little bit tougher, and I thought I handled it a lot better this week, and I’m happy with the results,” Newell said.
Rumsey and junior Julia Kiesler ran together for the first seven laps and finished 1-2 in the 3,200 in 11:01.29 and 11:06.38. This will be Rumsey’s second consecutive state trip in the 3,200.
“I’m really happy with all the progress that I’ve made the past year to help me get back to this spot and be in a stronger position than ever,” Rumsey said. “Last year, I had Mackenzie (Barnett) to help work with me, and this year, to have Julia to work with, it’s just really fun and exciting to have teammates to support you and run with.”
Kiesler, who moved from California last summer, saw her past two track seasons in the Golden State canceled because of COVID.
“It’s really awesome,” Kiesler said. “I’m just so thankful to have a team. It’s so much more fun. It’s like I’m a freshman again. We’re like a family here, and I’m really excited and thankful.”
Klaus will make her first state appearance in the 800 after finishing third in 2:17.22.
“We’ve had good training that’s prepared us to double back, so I felt pretty good going in after the 4×800 to the open 800,” Klaus said.”
North’s Abby Jacobi finished fifth in the 1,600 (5:22.47), and Sierra Newell took sixth in the long jump (16 feet, 1 1/2 inches). Moana Steele was eighth in the shot put (37-8 1/4), and Jessica Meza placed eighth in the 400 (1:01.42).
“We almost had a perfect night,” North coach Rick Sluder said. “We scored a ton of points in the distance events. Lily ran phenomenal in the 800, Bri ran outstanding, and to win the 1,600 by that much was impressive, and then our two 3,200-meter girls, switching laps back and forth, ran phenomenal together. Sierra Newell scored in the long jump and pole vault, and our shot putters made finals and did a good job there, too. So we’re pretty happy with the group we brought and how much they scored.”
Columbus East’s Emma Gray, left, competes in the 300-meter hurdles in Tuesday’s Franklin Regional.
Sam Findley | For The Republic
Columbus East did not advance anyone to state, but did have a couple of place-winners. Emma Gray finished fifth in the 300 hurdles (47.54), and Megan Tracy was eighth in the discus (107-2).
