PEARCY , Ar. – Distance runners Joseph Bariola of Lakeside and Lake Hamilton’s Olivia Pielemeier stole the spotlight Thursday at the Class 5A State Track & Field Championships.
El Dorado’s girls edged the Lady Wolves for the team title (100 to 94.5), while Russellville won the boys division with 93 at Wolf Stadium.
Bariola ran stride-for-stride in the 1600 with Russellville’s River Hardman for three laps. The Rams’ star outran Hardman down the final stretch to break a 34-year-old state record in 4:11.28. Hardman was clocked in 4:14.38. Bariola won silver in 3200 (9:40.91).
Pieremeier not worried about records
Lake Hamilton’s Pieremeier did not worry about breaking her own state records. She took home four gold medals in leading her teammates. Her most impressive came in the 3200 meters, when she played rabbit for her teammates. The Lady Wolves had four girls score in the event, with Pielemeier winning in 11:49.07. That time was well off her best. Teammatea Blair Turpen and Lani Inman were second and third, respectively.
The Lady Wolves Mikaela Miller was second in the 100 hurdles (15.44).
Lakeside’s Allie Quast cleared the same height (12-0) as winner Sophia Allen of Sheridan, but had more misses.
McKenzie Smith earned Arkansas High’s only medal of the day with a second in the discus (112-11). The Lady Backs were fifth in the 4×200 (1:45.53). Keniyah Bryant placed fifth in 400 with a time of 59.93.
The Razorbacks went to the medal stand thinking they were third in the 4×200. Their time was 1:29.2986. Nettleton won the bronze in 1:29.2984. Junior Telly Wells led the young AHS squad, and then suffered more heart-break in the 200 (22.13) when a Greenbrier sprinter was third in 22.10.
El Dorado girls started fast in field events
El Dorado’s girls got off to a good start with Davin James winning the high jump (5-4). Zyron Brock won gold in long jump (18-4.5). Brock was second in the triple jump.
Charalyn Rester was third in 100 hurdles, and Brock was third in the 100. The Lady Wildcats won the 4×100 in 49.52. Brock won the 400 (58.11) and was second in the 200 (25.56).
Russellville’s only win in field events came in pole vault wher Kercher Herring cleared 15-2. It was second in 4×800 8:08.18. The Cyclones went 2-3 in 110 hurdles, and second in the 1600. Hardman won 800 in 1:52.69, and was third in 3200.
Thursday’s winners can compete in next week’s Meet of Champions.