Starting 5: Jessie Secor breaks KHSAA track record, LouCity's Josh Wynder makes World Cup

Jessie Secor didn't believe it when her teammates and coaches told her. She didn't believe it when she looked at her time on the scoreboard.

It wasn't until she saw the time — 4:44.73 — again that the Manual senior finally realized she had set the new state record in the mile, breaking the old one by five seconds.

"I think it gives me confidence to know that I can compete where I want to compete," said Secor on Saturday, following the record-setting performance at the Kentucky Dream Mile on May 5 at St. Xavier High School.

Secor entered with the sixth fastest time in the field, 4:57.94, and shattered that mark while also beating rival Ciara O'Shea (Madison Central, 4:48.81), who is the defending KHSAA state champion in the 1600 and 3200. Secor finished second in both races behind O'Shea in 2022 and helped the Crimsons to a victory in the state 4x400 relay and silver in the 4x800.

Secor said she stuck to Manual track coach Tim Holman's strategy, even though it scared her a little, starting slower than she typically likes to before making a strong final kick.

The senior has been enjoying a strong season, one year after she battled through a case of mononucleosis and low iron. She said last year's challenges forced her to change her relationship with running and learn to enjoy the process, rather than chasing goals. The added perspective, she said, helped her fall in love with the sport again.

"Running is something I get to do, it's a gift I get from God," she said.

Next month, Secor has a chance to win her first individual state track championship and help Manual repeat as state champs.

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Around the city: LouCity's Josh Wynder gets World Cup call-up

A month after he was called up to the United States men's national team for a friendly against Mexico, Louisville City FC star defender Joshua Wynder will become the second Kentuckian ever to play for Team USA in a World Cup.

Wynder was called up to the U-20 U.S. team for the U-20 World Cup in Argentina, running May 20 to June 11.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in a World Cup,” Wynder said Wednesday in a news release. “It’s exciting to represent the United States — and the city of Louisville — on the global stage. This is another step in my journey, and I’m thankful for everyone who’s helped me along the way.”

Racing Louisville FC Academy graduate Ella Sanchez became the first Kentuckian to play in a World Cup in the 2022 U-17 Women's World Cup.

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Performance of the week: Wang Shuang makes NWSL history in Racing Louisville FC's first win

It's been a long time coming, but Racing Louisville FC finally got a win this week, shutting out the Chicago Red Stars, 3-0. Savannah DeMelo and Wang Shuang each scored on penalty kicks in the first half. With the goal, Shuang became the first Chinese player to score in NWSL history.

Parker Goins scored Racing's third goal — and her first as a professional — in the 89th minute after subbing into the game.

Racing (1-2-4, 7 points) played a grueling schedule early in the year and started with three draws against teams in the top seven of the league standings: Washington, Houston and Angel City FC.

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High school recruiting: KHSAA all-time leading scorer Travis Perry lands Notre Dame offer

• Kentucky boys basketball's all-time leading scorer, Lyon County junior Travis Perry, added to his Division I offers with one from Notre Dame this past week. The four-star prospect now has 18 D-I offers, according to 247Sports.

• Two Christian Academy football stars added D-I offers last week: Wide receiver and cornerback Justin Ruffin Jr. was offered by Fordham University, a week after receiving an offer from Furman; and three-star sophomore wideout and defensive back Connor Hodge was offered by Ball State, a week after being offered by Georgia Southern.

• Junior Jeffersontown athlete Lukus McDaniels picked up his third D-I football offer from Eastern Kentucky.

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Mark your calendars

• Louisville City FC is off for 11 days before playing twice next week against FC Tulsa and Indy Eleven.

• Racing Louisville FC hosts KC Current in the Challenge Cup on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., then plays KC again Saturday at 8 p.m. on the road.

• The Louisville Bats are at home for a second straight week, facing Jacksonville in a six-game series starting Tuesday.

• The college baseball regular season ends this weekend with Louisville hosting Northern Kentucky on Tuesday and then Florida State for a three-game series beginning Thursday.

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Play of the week: Cincinnati Reds prospect Christian Encarnacion-Strand crushes home run

It's time to dedicate an entire section of this week's rundown to the violent swings from Bats' players. The latest highlight from the red-hot Bats bats comes from Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who launched a baseball into orbit Thursday.

CES smashed a 471-foot bomb in an 8-2 win against Columbus that nearly left Louisville Slugger Field entirely. The 23-year-old top prospect's eighth homer this season is tied for the second longest in Triple-A behind Salt Lake's Trey Cabbage, who hit a 487-foot moonshot.

Each week we'll highlight what's going on in and around Louisville, from high school to pro sports, in our "Starting 5." Got a story to tell or a play of the week? Tweet at us @CJ_Sports or email us at jadams@gannett.com. You can follow assistant sports editor Jake Adams on Twitter @jakeadams520

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville City FC star Josh Wynder to play for Team USA in World Cup