By Steve Williams
Rebecca Story ended her TSSAA track career in typical fashion … on top!
The Christian Academy of Knoxville senior swept the three distance races at the Division II-A track and field meet Friday at MTSU in Murfreesboro.
Story won the 1600-meter run in 5:03.93, the 800 in 2:19.64 and the 3200 in 11:00.07. She officially ended her TSSAA career by running the anchor leg on CAK’s winning 4×400 relay, which was clocked in 4:07.6.
On a day that included threatening skies, raindrops and eventually a lightning delay, Coach Tony Cosey said Story’s main objective was about winning and not times.
The Stanford signee led the CAK girls to a third place finish in the team scoring behind runner-up Webb School.
Story won her first TSSAA state championship in the 3200 as an eighth grader in 2014.
Counting her part on three state champion relay teams, Story has a total of 15 TSSAA championships in her prep career. That also includes two state crowns in cross-country.
“It was a special last meet, and I was relaxed,” said Story. “There wasn’t a planned strategy other than to win and have fun.
“Obviously, I was not attempting a PR (personal record) with four races in a few hours, but I am used to that!
“I was happy with my final State because it ended in a relay with my team. I loved finishing with a relay.”
Webb’s Lady Spartans were paced by Jasmine Jefferson’s victory in the 400 (59.36) and wins by their 4×100 relay (49.75) and 4×800 relay (9:59.11).
In the girls’ Large division on Thursday, sophomore Ellie Bachman took first place in the 800 with a time of 2:16.28 to lead Hardin Valley Academy to third place in the final team scoring.
Catholic’s girls raced to a winning time of 9:19.64 in the 4×800.
West junior Caroline Lewis finished third in the Large Schools’ pentathlon earlier in the week.
Blake Blakemore, only a sophomore, sparkled in Wednesday’s Small Schools action as she won the 200 dash in 24.74.