Bedfordtimesregister.com - Bedford girls track runs well at Willoughby

by Devan Matthews

Correspondent

The Bedford High School girls track and field team enjoyed a good showing at the Willoughby South Invitational this past Friday night. The Bearcats finished fifth overall with a total of 94 points.

Bedford had a number of impressive performances at the meet. For example, Melissa Thompson placed in multiple events.

Thompson was third in the 200-meter dash with a time of 27.2 seconds and fourth in the 100-meter dash with an effort of 13.1 seconds.

Marcedes Caver also placed in two individual events. She was second in the 300 intermediate hurdles (49.0) and fifth in the long jump (15-feet-10).

Andrea Boyd placed in a pair of events, as well, finishing first in the 100 high hurdles with a time of 16 seconds and claiming sixth in the long jump with a distance of 15-8.

Brittany Turner captured first in an individual event, doing so in the shot put with a heave of 34-2. Others who placed included Shannon Walton, who was third in the discus (92-1), and Clorena Simmons, who was sixth in the high jump (4-6).

Three of Bedford's relay teams placed, as well. The Bearcats' 400-meter unit of Boyd, Caver, Simmons and Thompson was first with an effort of 51.5, their best of the season.

That same group also claimed third place in the 800 relay, posting a time of 1:52.9 in the process.

Bedford's 1,600 relay squad also finished third (4:29.0). That group consisted of Tiara Anthony, Valencia Sumpter, Muriel Motley and Lyndsey Johnson.

On April 15, the Bearcats were engaged in a dual meet with Euclid at home. Unfortunately, they fell to defeat by the score of 100-37.

However, Bedford still had plenty of girls who placed.

Once again, Caver placed in two events, finishing second in both the long jump (15-2) and the 300 intermediate hurdles (49.3).

Boyd also placed in two individual events. She was first in the long jump with a distance of 15-8 and third in the 100 high hurdles with an effort of 16.1.

In addition, Walton finished second in the shot put (27-3.5) and third in the discus (74-4). Thompson mirrored that feat, placing second in the 200 with a time of 27.3 and third in the 100 with an effort of 13.3.

Others who placed second were Anthony in the 400 (1:07.2), Kelsie Britton in the 3200 (17.4) and Simmons in the high jump (4-8).

Among the third-place finishers were Arielle Ciprian in the 800 (2:58.0), Cassie Wenner in the 3,200 (17:50.0) and Clarissa Smith in the pole vault (6-0).

Finishing in first place was the 4 x 100 relay unit with a time of 50.0. The members of that squad were Boyd, Caver, Simmons and Thompson.

According to Bedford head coach Heather Starn, the Bearcats are stronger in a number of different areas this season.

"We're stronger in terms of our sprints and our sprint relays," said Starn. "We also have more depth in distance running. We need to fill the gaps in the field events, especially in the high jump and pole vault. The girls are training and working hard in those events to improve. Conditioning is still a factor, though, since we started so late.

"We have a young team and a core group of veterans. We also have a very talented freshmen class. It's exciting, because this is the first year that we've had more than just one 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relay teams. It's great to see the young talent we have coming up."

Bedford was set to host Cleveland Heights April 23, but results weren't available at press time. On April 26, the Bearcats will compete in the Eastlake North Ranger Relays.

E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113