Tara Karnes places 9th at State Championships in Division II shot put
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
COLUMBUS — McClain senior Tara Karnes accomplished one of her goals set for the Division II State Track & Field Championships Saturday, reaching the finals and placing ninth in the shot put event at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
The throw that got Karnes into the finals was her first throw of the event, going a distance of 38-2.75.
Her next two throws in the prelims of the shot put measured at 36-1.5 and 36-7.0.
Karnes was the first girl for the Lady Tigers to compete in the shot put event at state since 1984. The last girl since Karnes to compete at state was in 2011.
"It was a whirlwind experience because I've never been here before," Karnes told The Highland County Press of the experience of competing at state. "It was a fun experience.
"It was nice to see other shot putters throw further than me, because I liked that competition. How you come through that competition, it defines you. Finishing ninth was one of my goals because that allowed me to get to the finals, but one more inch and I would have made the podium."
In the finals, Karnes' throws measured 35-0.25 and 37-6.5. Her final throw of the day was a foul.
"Just getting here is probably one of the best things to do," MHS throwing coach Mike Francis said. "Getting to the state track championships is an honor.
"Being top nine in the state is pretty good. She was a little nervous, but in the finals, nobody but one person threw better that what they did in the first round."
[[In-content Ad]]
Karnes was the South Central Ohio League and district champion this season, along with being fourth at the regional event, but getting to the finals was yet another drawn-out process of waiting for Karnes that came down to the final throw.
The distance that qualified Karnes to state was 39-08.00. Her district championship throw was 38-07.00.
At the regionals, Karnes had to wait out for two throwers to see if she would qualify for the state championships.
"Just getting into the finals, we were sweating bullets because we had to wait until the last throw to find out," Francis said.
MHS girls varsity track coach Lori Jones also spoke about Karnes' day.
"Like I've said before, I like to hide out when Tara throws," Jones said. "I kind of hid by the bleachers and walked away on the final throw. We had to sit and hold our breath to see if she made the finals.
"I saw them (Karnes and Francis) smile and high-five, and I was like 'YES!' If was great to see her get into the finals. She needs to hold her head high and be proud of her accomplishments."
Karnes summed up her day and season.
"It has been a good season," Karnes said. "I set the school record, and I didn't lose a meet until the regionals.
"I just want to thank everyone who supported me. Though I didn't get to the podium, it was still a great day for me."
The throw that got Karnes into the finals was her first throw of the event, going a distance of 38-2.75.
Her next two throws in the prelims of the shot put measured at 36-1.5 and 36-7.0.
Karnes was the first girl for the Lady Tigers to compete in the shot put event at state since 1984. The last girl since Karnes to compete at state was in 2011.
"It was a whirlwind experience because I've never been here before," Karnes told The Highland County Press of the experience of competing at state. "It was a fun experience.
"It was nice to see other shot putters throw further than me, because I liked that competition. How you come through that competition, it defines you. Finishing ninth was one of my goals because that allowed me to get to the finals, but one more inch and I would have made the podium."
In the finals, Karnes' throws measured 35-0.25 and 37-6.5. Her final throw of the day was a foul.
"Just getting here is probably one of the best things to do," MHS throwing coach Mike Francis said. "Getting to the state track championships is an honor.
"Being top nine in the state is pretty good. She was a little nervous, but in the finals, nobody but one person threw better that what they did in the first round."
[[In-content Ad]]
Karnes was the South Central Ohio League and district champion this season, along with being fourth at the regional event, but getting to the finals was yet another drawn-out process of waiting for Karnes that came down to the final throw.
The distance that qualified Karnes to state was 39-08.00. Her district championship throw was 38-07.00.
At the regionals, Karnes had to wait out for two throwers to see if she would qualify for the state championships.
"Just getting into the finals, we were sweating bullets because we had to wait until the last throw to find out," Francis said.
MHS girls varsity track coach Lori Jones also spoke about Karnes' day.
"Like I've said before, I like to hide out when Tara throws," Jones said. "I kind of hid by the bleachers and walked away on the final throw. We had to sit and hold our breath to see if she made the finals.
"I saw them (Karnes and Francis) smile and high-five, and I was like 'YES!' If was great to see her get into the finals. She needs to hold her head high and be proud of her accomplishments."
Karnes summed up her day and season.
"It has been a good season," Karnes said. "I set the school record, and I didn't lose a meet until the regionals.
"I just want to thank everyone who supported me. Though I didn't get to the podium, it was still a great day for me."