Rush, Howard lead Mount Vernon state track qualifiers

Mount Vernon’s Lucy Rush is finding her stride as just the right time.

The senior distance runner set a school record in the 1,600-meter run at district competition a week ago, then came back with another record at regionals, this time in the 3,200. Rush will now head to state in both events, ready for another record and a shot at the podium.

“I think it was just I felt really fresh and we went out at a pace where I could control. There was a big group of girls that made it a lot easier to work together. I just tried to stick with them the best I could the first seven laps and then push as hard as I could for the last run,” Rush said about her record time of 10:45.34 in winning the 3,200 at the Div. II regionals at Lexington.

After winning the 3,200 on Wednesday at Lexington, Rush came back to finish fifth Friday in the 1,600 at 5:05.11 and qualify for state in both events. She had set the school record of 4:59.78 at district, but found the heat at regionals more of a challenge.

“Today (Friday) definitely had some challenges out there. It was really hot and we took it out really, really fast the first lap. So I was just proud of the way I was able to just stay with it, even if I wasn’t able to stay with the first pack, I just kind of pushed my hardest and did my best so it was good,” Rush said. “I could definitely feel it on my legs (ran 3,200 two nights before). It’ll probably be hard next week, too, with back-to-back races but lots of people do the double, so everyone is dealing with that. Having a day to recover is really great.”

She will run the 3,200 on Saturday at 4:25 p.m. and the 1,600 on Sunday at 10:05 a.m. Both events will be held at Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, which will be a big thrill for Rush as a first-time state participant.

“I’m a huge Buckeye fan so I’m so excited to run on OSU’s campus. That will be so cool,” she said.

Also making it to the state meet will be pole vaulter Kennedy Howard. The senior jumped 12-foot to finish second to Granville’s Annie McCracken. She will vault Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at state.

“I jumped pretty well today, just had some nerves about certain poles. That was pretty much it. it was a pretty good day, though,” Howard said. “Today was about qualifying and then go to state. … I’m happy about it. it was a good day. I had some really good jumps.”

Howard, who is going to Montana State next year, and McCracken, an Indiana University signee, have developed a strong friendship that has helped propel each other higher. They both participate on the same summer club team and have faced each other quite a bit in the Licking County League.

“She’s (McCracken) one of my best friends. We go to the same club team. We practice all year round together. We’re very close friends. I love jumping with her because I’m never alone. She’s always in when I’m in,” Howard said. “it’s actually really helpful. I love jumping with her and it’s going to be sad when we have our last meet together. We’ll practice all summer together. I really don’t like jumping alone. I always feel weird just standing around and waiting. I love jumping with her.”

The Lady Jackets will participate in two other events at state. Khloe Bradley finished third in the shot put at regionals (40-foot-2.75) to qualify and the 4x400 relay team of Juliet Boyd, Kinsley Firebaugh, Nadia Nougi and Cora Stetler finished fifth in 4:06.94 to advance. Bradley will throw Saturday at 1 p.m. while the relay team runs Saturday at 4:55 p.m.

The boys will also send two individuals to state.

Freshman Calvin Heithaus finished third in the 1,600 in 4:16.21 to qualify, while Jamison Oakes was sixth in the 400 at 50.05 and qualified. Heithaus will run Sunday at 10:13 a.m., while Oakes will run in the semifinals Saturday at 3:45 p.m.

Heithaus also ran in the 800, finishing 12th overall in 2:02.98.

Also participating at regionals were Brady Mills (400 meters, ninth, 51.10); Ben Fitzpatrick (long jump, 10th, 20-5); Logan Autherson (shot put); Luka Hicks (pole vault); and the 4x400 relay team of Oakes, Theo Miller, Heithaus and Mills (14th, 3:29.53) and 4x800 relay team of Owen Petrie, Jonah Eggert, Landon Barber and Miller (13th, 8:26.31).

On the girls’ side, the 4x200 relay team of Boyd, Savannah Rose, Firebaugh and Danaisa Best finished ninth in 1:46.62. Elizabeth Lebold also participated in the pole vault.