Thomason headlines local field in Class 1A prelims
May 22—CHARLESTON — Natalie Thomason has accomplished just about everything possible in four years with the Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin girls' track and field team. Fittingly, her career will end with three chances at an IHSA Class 1A state title on Saturday after qualifying for three state finals in Thursday's preliminaries at O'Brien Field in Charleston. "I'm really happy with how all my races went," Thomason said.
"I either (set personal records) or qualified in (all) of them. " Thomason qualified for the state finals in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15. 86 seconds, the 300-meter hurdles after crossing the finish line in 46.
68 and in the high jump after clearing 5 feet, 2 1/4 inches. She also took part in an 800 relay alongside Jaz Ingram, Emily Dice and Neveah Scott that set a BHRA program record in 1:48. 44, though the effort placed 17th in the 44-team race to miss the nine-team cutoff for Saturday's finals.
"I'm glad to see those seniors get that record," BHRA coach Susan Kentner said. "A big day for Natalie to squeak in, get that and really compete really hard. " Saturday will mark the fourth time she's competed in the high jump competition after her leap ranked second in Thursday's preliminary round.
"My year (as a junior) kind of threw me off," Thomason said. "We were trying to figure some stuff out and it was messing with my head, and I had a mental block last year. Being able to break that mental block has given me a little more confidence.