Advertisement

Laila Campbell wraps up her high school career with a gold, silver in last PIAA meet

shelly stallsmith, york daily record
·3 min read

One streak ended in the morning, but Laila Campbell made sure to complete a second sweep in the afternoon.

The Spring Grove senior lost in her quest to win four straight PIAA Class 3A 100-meter titles when she fell to Cheltenham's Amirah Nesmith Saturday at the state track and field championships at Shippensburg University. Nesmith, a sophomore, ran 11.84 and Campbell finished less than a step behind at 11.87. Methacton's Summer Mellow was third in 11.93.

Campbell returned the favor in the 200 meters, running a 24.44 to defeat Nesmith, who ran a 24.58.

"I was definitely going after the 200, I should not have leaned that early," Campbell said of the 100 finish. "[Nesmith] just ran through the line. I definitely feel like I redeemed myself in the 200."

Campbell came into the state meet as the second seed in the 100, .18 off the top time of 11.84. She ran a 12.06 to win her prelim heat on Friday morning, which qualified her in the fourth spot for the final.

After three years of starting in the middle as the fastest qualifier, Campbell ran the final in the sixth lane. She was beside Mellow, who qualified at 11.85. Nesmith was the top qualifier at 11.81.

Spring Grove senior Laila Campbell sprints to gold in the final race of her high school career at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024. Campbell won the 3A girls' 200-meter dash in 24.44.
Spring Grove senior Laila Campbell sprints to gold in the final race of her high school career at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024. Campbell won the 3A girls' 200-meter dash in 24.44.

Golden day: Bermudian Springs' Lily Carlson successfully defends PIAA Class 2A pole vault title

Super sophomore: Spring Grove's Ella Bahn snares silver, 2 golds in Day 2 action at PIAA championships

PIAA state track meet 2024: Live updates from Saturday's action

"The 100 was really exciting for the first time in the championship," Campbell said looking back to district and state meets where she was rarely challenged. "I really liked that, and it just gave me more motivation to finish it strong."

Campbell ran in the second lane in the 200 meters, four lanes away from Nesmith. In between them was Downingtown East's Faith Fuqua, who came in with the top time and finished fourth in 24.70.

She had to come through the stagger from farther in the field than she was used to, but it didn't show in the race. She had the lead coming out of the curve and never looked back.

Spring Grove's Laila Campbell sprints toward a silver-place finish in the 3A girls' 100-meter dash (11.87) at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024.
Spring Grove's Laila Campbell sprints toward a silver-place finish in the 3A girls' 100-meter dash (11.87) at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University's Seth Grove Stadium Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Campbell finishes her high school career with with seven golds and one silver. She completed the 200-meter sweep, winning gold all four years.

"It's definitely been a lot," Campbell said of her high school career. "Especially just getting to the podium one last time."

Except it wasn't supposed to be her last time on the podium. She and teammate Ella Bahn combined for 46 points to claim the team title by 13 points. The pair combined for three golds and two silvers, all in individual events.

But when it came time to get their team trophy, a storm swept through, scattering people to find cover. Bahn, Campbell and their coaches were awarded the team trophy in the officials' tent.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Laila Campbell ends high school career with PIAA silver, gold