AAA 3A State Outdoor Championship Results
REPLAY: The AAA 3A State Outdoor Championships
The West Helena boys and Providence Academy girls dominated the field at Tuesday's AAA Class 3A State Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Ashdown High.
All-Everything distance runner Gabbie Bishop, who will be competing for the University of Arkansas' cross country country program this Fall, led Providence Academy to the win as PA scored 211 points.
"It was a great night all around for the girls and boys," Providence Academy head coach Daniel Ramsey said. "The girls are a much more balanced team this year with strong field events and hurdling group. The five distance girls really pushed through a heavy ask lead by senior Gabbbie Bishop tonight."
Ramsey also complimented his boys' team--especially the 4x400 relay (3:31.75) which won the final event of the meet with. It was a four second season best for the mile relay.
It was a tighter race in the boys' division where West Helena scored 90 points--30 more than runner-up Providence Academy.
Bishop won the 400 meters (58.09), 800 meters (2:19.17), 1600 meters (5:06.56), and 3200 meters (11:09.13). Right behind her in the latter race was her younger sister, sophomore Maggie Bishop, who finished with a 11:09.38.
The sisters shared several hugs at the conclusion of 3200 meters. It was a passing of the torch moment as Gabbie Bishop graduates from Providence Academy later this month and moves on to the next level.
Maggie also finished as the runner-up 800 meters (2:19.65) and 1600 meters (5:08.98). She was scheduled to run in the 400 meters, but did not start the race.
With her sister gone next year, Maggie Bishop will not be alone. Junior Jane Adams finished third in the 1600 meters with a time of 5:23. Senior Anika Mora finished second in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 16.35.
Providence Academy picked another first-place finish in the field events from junior Addi Russell in the girls discus (133-5). The Patriots also showed their depth by winning two relays. The 4x800 meter relay won with a 10:12.97. The 4x400 meter relay finished the meet with a win coming across the line at 4:16.22.
Senior Lacy Albright added some valuable points for the Patriots in the field events. She finished as the runner-up in the pole vault (9-8) and finished fourth in the high jump (5-0).
