Hopkinsville High School’s Track and Field team had high hopes entering Saturday’s Class 3A State Track Meet, but those hopes disappeared almost as fast as the sunshine. Most the morning’s events at the University of Kentucky Outdoor Track Facility were run in the rain with several contested in a downpour.
Jakayla McSwain looked to defend her state title in the 400-meter dash and was leading at the 200-meter mark. However, as she made the final turn she began to cramp and was passed by winner Kaleb McDonald of Jeffersontown. McSwain finished sixth with a time of 59.07, nearly a full second off her seeded time.
Still bothered by the leg cramps, McSwain finished 23rd in the 200-meter run with a time of 28.69 seconds. She was 19th at the state meet last year in a time of 27.21.
Yogi McKnight had the best finish of the day for the Lady Tigers, taking home fifth place in the long jump with an effort of 16-06.25. McKnight also finished 17th in the triple jump with a distance of 31-11.75.
In her final race as a Lady Tiger, Meghan Easton finished 11th in the 800-meter run. She was in fourth place at halfway point after running a 1:05 first lap. However, a pack of runners caught her in the final turn. She was able to hang on to the 11th place finish at the line.
Breon Oldham finished 19th in the 100-meter dash in a time of 13.39 seconds.
The 800-meter relay team, which entered the state meet seeded eighth of 24 teams, was disqualified for an exchange zone violation.
As a team, Hopkinsville’s girls finished 21st in the 3A event with seven points.
For the guys, Keion Brown, who finished sixth at the state meet last year, finished sixth again this year in a time of 49.51, shaving nearly a half-second off last year’s time.
The 800-meter relay team of Cam Bussell, JeVon Leavell, Keion Brown, and Mitchell Degenhardt finished in 17th place with a time of 1:32.45.
As a team, Hopkinsville finished tied for 32nd with three points.