College track teams began to heavily recruit Clarkston’s Lyndsay Smith after her victory in the steeple chase at the Roosevelt Invitational last season.
When the Clarkston girls track team traveld to Dayton, Ohio for this season’s invitational Smith entered the event ranked fifth in the nation. On May 5, she shattered her time from last season to dominate the competition and take her second consecutive championship in the event.
‘She gained a lot of exposure because of her success last year in the event,? Clarkston track Coach John Yorke said. ‘She blew out the field this year. She entered the race with a lot of confidence and took control of the event right away.?
The steeple chase is a 2000-meter race with a barrier runners must jump over and a water pit. The event is common in college, but most Michigan teams do not participate in the event.
The Roosevelt Invitational, which is in Ohio, featured over 30 teams from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
Clarkston had several other impressive finishes. Stephanie Morgan ran the 1600-meters in 4:55 to take second place out of over 30 girls.
Lisa Sickman finished in fifth in the 800-meters. The 3200-meter relay team of Beth Hoekstra, Morgan, Jenna Leach and Lisa Sickman took fifth place. Lauren Frank placed fifth in the discus.
‘I was pleased with our performance at the event,? Yorke said. ‘Our sprinters ran well and had a good day. We went to the event to get ready for some of the big meets we have coming up and I was pleased with the results.?
The Wolves, who are undefeated in dual meets this season, have their final two league meets this week. Clarkston hosts Rochester on May 11.Clarkston’s meet with West Bloomfield on May 9 finished too late for this edition of The Clarkston News.
After Rochester, the Wolves take part in the South Lyon Invitational on May 12 and the Mott Relays on May 13 to end the regular season. After that, Clarkston competes in regionals on May 19, the OAA meet on May 23 and the Oakland County meet on May 26.
‘We have a lot of racing to do in the next few weeks,? Yorke said. ‘We are going to put all the girls out there and hopefully we are deep enough to win. We will be tough to beat if we continue to run well.