Erin Tomschin will need her legs in Friday’s 1,600- and 3,200-meter races at the Class 3 state meet in Jefferson City. But she might need her elbows, too. Unlike normal races that feature eight …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Erin Tomschin will need her legs in Friday’s 1,600- and 3,200-meter races at the Class 3 state meet in Jefferson City.
But she might need her elbows, too.
Unlike normal races that feature eight runners, the state meet will include 16 runners in each race.
“Erin better have some sharp elbows,” Wright City Head Coach Sue Wright said. “In the mile Saturday it wasn’t until the third lap that the pack started breaking up.”
Tomschin, a junior, finished third in the 1,600 in the sectional Saturday in Mexico, coming in at 5 minutes, 44.9 seconds.
It was her best finish of the season.
“I’m probably going to have to hit the 5:30 mark,” she said. “And I think that’s possible because pushing it against faster girls will help.”
Her time on the basketball court might help, too
“When I played basketball, I got used to getting elbowed and elbowing people,” she said. “So it should be interesting to feel like I’m mixing together my sports.”
Tomschin also qualified in the 3,200, finishing fourth in 12 minutes, 50 seconds.
“I have bigger hopes in the mile, so I’m going to try to push that really hard,” she said. “I hope the 2-mile goes well, but I’m really going to push the mile.”
Wright said Tomschin has practiced battling with a congested pack early in the race, and believes a tight group could help.
“If she knows she’s going to be able to win or place, she’s just strong,” Wright said. “If there’s too much space, she just kind of goes her pace. But she stayed with the top girls for a long time on Saturday.”
Tomschin expected to advance to state in the 3,200 relay, but said she was more than happy with qualifying in the pair of distance races.
“I was really glad I made it in the other two because it’s something new for me this year,” she said. “I think it will be a lot of fun.”
Wright hopes she uses the meet to her advantage next season.
“For her, there’s always a chance. But the experience is going to be the most beneficial for her because she’s never been there,” Wright said. “It’s a whole different ballgame when you throw all those kids in the mile and 2-mile.”
Runs in 1,600- and 3,200-meter races
