Fairland’s Aldridge 3rd in 100M hurdles
Published 11:25 pm Saturday, June 6, 2009
COLUMBUS — Jordan Aldridge got what she wanted. And more.
After a 15th place finish last year, the Fairland Lady Dragons junior hurdler had one goal this year when she qualified for the Division II Ohio High School Athletic Association state track and field meet.
“Last year I was 15th. I just wanted to be on the podium,” said Aldridge. “I didn’t think I had a chance to win. I was just happy to make the finals and have a chance to place.”
Sophomore Jerica Sanders of Mentor Lake Catholic won the race with a 14.48 clocking followed by Bridget Doughty of Bay Village Bay at 14.65 seconds.
Aldridge — who ran a 14.94 in Friday’s preliminaries — came across the finish line with a 15.06 time. She finished ahead of Kendall Homan of Napoleon at 15.15 seconds.
Aldridge would like to make a third straight trip to the state track meet, but she isn’t about to dwell on what could happen in the future or moving up in the final finish.
“I’d love to come back and win, but I don’t want to get my hopes up and feel bad. Right now I feel great. I can’t stop smiling.”
Fairland teammate Megan Brooks also competed in the state meet on Saturday.
Brooks, another junior, qualified for the state meet when she cleared 10-3. Although she has rarely jumped less than 10-feet all year, Brooks managed to go 9-6 and finished 16th in the event.
Kayla Caldwell of Gnadenhutten went 12-feet to win the event.
South Point senior Ericka Leighty was still under the weather on Saturday.
After struggling in the high jump due to an illness, Leighty was not at full strength as she competed in the long jump in the Division II state meet.
Leighty placed 15th with a best-jump of 15-10. She qualified for the state meet by leaping 17-3.75 to win the regional track meet. Her regional distance would have been the third best time on Saturday.
Gallipolis senior Alexis Geiger was the long jump state champion at 17-10.75. Runner-up was Kendall Homan of Napoleon who jumped 17-9.
Five different girls jumped 17-feet or better.