Olivia Vogelpohl inspires awe for Woodmore track at state meet

Azure Travis tripped over the final hurdle during preliminaries in the 300 hurdles at the state track meet.

The Woodmore junior didn't touch the hurdle with her hands, scrambled to her feet and finished ninth. She won both hurdle events in Division III as the first Wildcat to earn two individual state championships in the same season.

"I was disappointed and it's hard mentally to be ready for that finals race," she said. "Lane 9 is more difficult, at least mentally. I told myself it's possible to win from Lane 9, it's the same length of track. It can be a benefit.

"There's nobody on the outside to chase. But you can't gauge your start until you feel pressure. It's less sharp a turn, so it's easier to get over the hurdle on the turn. Just be grateful I'm in the finals. Anything can happen in that stadium at Jesse Owens."

Ariana Florio, Emma Hammer, Olivia Vogelpohl an Travis were second in the 4x400 relay in a school record 3 minutes, 56.29 seconds as Woodmore earned a team crown overall. Vogelpohl accomplished one of the most impressive feats as the anchor when she, Emma Hammer, Caydie Buchanan and Jordan Beam finished fifth in the 4x800 at 9:46.15.

"Olivia passed nine people to go from 14th to fifth," Travis said. "That was incredible. She surprises me every time she runs. All of them were fantastic."

Travis established a school record in both hurdles. She finished the 300 at 43.82 seconds.

"I found that last spot in the finals," she said. "I was just trying to get out fast, even though I couldn't see anybody all the way on he outside. In Lane 9 the stagger is farthest up. Everybody was behind me. As we came around the turn, my competitors were trying to make up that stagger.

"I knew I had to keep pushing and the last turn I could finally see people. That final hurdle clear and winning from Lane 9 was a nice feeling."

Things went more smoothly with the 100 hurdles at 14.42.

"I knew there was going to be tough competition, girls with similar times and everyone wanted the same goal," she said. "That made it exciting and to share that with my competitors was awesome. It was my first race of the day, the first state title in my life.

"It felt awesome."

Beth Parkins won the 400 and was part of a first-place 4x400 at state in 1992.

Hammer was fourth in the 800 at 2:17.26. She established a school record at regional at 2:16.35.

"I've seen her work so hard and put in so much work from middle school until now," Travis said. "I know how bad she wanted it."

Hammer established a personal best for her leg in the 4x400.

"Rahzia started well," Travis said. "Off the first curve, Emma got in front. Olivia always runs a great leg. She was 10 meters ahead. We were happy to grab that second place spot with another PR. We were sub-4 [at regional] to break the school record.

"That was a highlight moment."

Woodmore's Rahzia Rios was ninth in the 400 at 59.82 and Vogelpohl 10th in the 1,600 at 5:15.27.

There are fewer than 110 girls at Woodmore.

"It's just absolutely incredible, that feeling," Travis said. "Sharing that feeling with teammates winning team state is awesome. It makes me and my teammates appreciate this win so much, representing our school and community that supports everything we do.

"Woodmore is a great school. We have great coaches, a great team and great support. We're proud to represent them."

Travis was fourth in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100 hurdles at state as a sophomore.

"I was more familiar with the stadium and the atmosphere," she said. "I was more prepared. I've been there before, I've raced there before and I've had great things happen. The nervousness and adrenaline didn't change, but my experience from last year.

"It helped me."

Travis wants to take some time before looking ahead.

"I'm trying to take it all in and appreciate it," she said. "I try not to look too far ahead. I try not to plan the future for myself, I try to trust in God's plan for me."

mhorn@gannett.com

419-307-4892

Twitter: @MatthewHornNH

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Azure Travis leads Woodmore girls to state track championship