Two local athletes competed last Saturday in the Class C state Track and Field championships held at Foxcroft Academy.
Elyjah Crockett and Rylee Warman competed at Dover-Foxcroft on a very warm and humid day.
Crockett’s day did not go as planned, as his equipment was disqualified.
“We had to check all our implements in and found that our equipment could not be used due to minor defects in our shot put and discus,” said Chris Rines, trainer.
Crockett ended up borrowing an approved shot put from a friend who was competing for Bucksport High School and a discus from a friend who was competing for Limestone/ MSSM, as well.
“That’s the thing about this sport that separates it from the rest, their aren’t many other sports where your opponents will help you and want you to succeed,” said Rines. “With only the two athletes and two fans the Houlton contingent was well received by familiar faces at Washburn, Fort Fairfield and Limestone. They took us right in and made us feel right at home.”
Crockett had to adjust on the fly.
“It was his first time throwing a metal discus, a little different than a rubber one he was used to,” said Rines.
Despite the setback, Crockett threw 38-feet, 7-inches for a 16th-place finish in the shot put, but unfortunately, he didn’t make the finals.
In the discus, Crockett had a distance of 119-feet, 4-inches, his best throw of the day.
“He was able to put the shot put behind him and regain his focus for the discus,” said Rines. “The throw got him into the finals.”
In the finals, Crockett did not improve his throw, coming away with a seventh-place finish. He scored one point for Houlton at the state meet and walked away with a medal.
For Warman, it was long day, as she waited patiently for the 800-meter run.
“She was in the fast heat,” Rines explained. “She has only raced this distance twice before and for the state meet, they had the kids run the 800-meter in a staggered waterfall-style start. It was her first time experiencing that.”
Warman also was up against a tough field of competitors and she does not “have a lot of experience,” said Rines.
Warman battled to 14th place out of 29 girls with a finishing time of 2:40.23.
“She ran as hard as she could for two laps,” Rines added.
Even though it was a short season, Crockett and Warman represented their schools — Houlton and GHCA — very well, along with the community and their families.
“I’m very happy with both performances,” said Rines. “This is the first time for both kids having participated in the sport and to come out with those kind of results in the state meet is huge. Elyjah is looking to continue on with the sport in college and Rylee is focusing on a tough summer of high mileage and competitive road races.”
