Sports

Lucky No. 7

• Deerfield-Windsor sophomore Kelly Conway — already the holder of four state championships in track and two in cross-country — wins her seventh state title Thursday on Day 1 of the GISA Class AAA State Meet.

Derek Barichello

ALBANY — Deerfield-Windsor’s Kelly Conway acts like she has done this before.

Well ... that’s because she has.

The DWS sophomore won her third consecutive state title Thursday afternoon in the 1,600-meter race on Day 1 of the GISA AAA State Meet at Hugh Mills Stadium.

And those of you counting at home, that’s five individual track state crowns for the reigning Herald Player of the Year for girls track & field – three in the 1,600, one in the 3,200 and one in the 800. Of course, that’s not including two cross country state titles and the possibility of two more track titles with the 800 today and the 3,200 on Saturday.

And to top it all off, Conway’s blazing time of 5:19.47 Thursday broke a DWS school record, which she set last year.

“State always brings out the best in me,” Conway said as she received hugs from family and friends after the win. “I love the competition. That’s what I feed off, and all my best times have come here.”

Like an episode of déjà vu, Conway won the race without being seeded No. 1 — not the least bit abnormal.

After all, Conway approaches the regular season as training for the state meet, with the plan to peak this time each year.

And mission accomplished — again.

Conway entered the race with the No. 2 seed time in the state of 5:48, seven seconds behind top-seeded Lanier Flanders from First Presbyterian; Conway eventually bested Flanders by more than 11 seconds Thursday.

“She puts all her focus on the state meet,” DWS relays and long distance coach Joe Bishop said. “Whatever happens in the regular season, happens — it’s all just preparation for the big one. And she always produces.”

According to Bishop, her consistency is unrivaled.

“I have never personally experienced a runner quite like her,” Bishop said. “She’s the most consistent I’ve ever been around.”

But Conway was not the only highlight for DWS on Thursday, as superstar John Smith qualified for the 100, 200 and 4x100 relay.

“I reached my goal,” Smith said after the final qualifying heat.

Coming in at 43.6 seconds and setting a new school record, the DWS boys’ 4x100 team — which includes Smith, Andre Davis, Zach Cooper and Chris Mohl — finished with the top qualifying time and looks to be a favorite for the finals Saturday.

“It was good considering it wasn’t the best we could do,” Davis said.

“Our handoffs weren’t that smooth. If we get them right, there’s no telling how fast we can run it.”

Smith was not done.

Two events later, he set the tone for Saturday’s 100 finals with a top qualifying time of 11.21 seconds, giving him the No. 1 seed and Mount de Sales’ Nick Edison the second.

In the final race of the day, however, Edison gained the top seed in the 200, while Smith won his heat and earned the No. 2 seed with a time of 22.53 seconds, setting up a showdown Saturday between the duo in both events.

“It’ll be some really great races to watch,” DWS coach Craig Rhodes said. “It’ll be close.”

Also qualifying for both the 100 and 200 race was Sherwood Christian Academy’s Nile Knapp.

SCA’s running back during football season was not sure if he would run before Thursday because of a hamstring injury but it felt good enough for him to advance to Saturday’s final in both events.

“I’d say it was about 90 percent,” Knapp said. “It was my slowest time of the year but I haven’t sprinted all week. I think on Saturday it should be a lot faster.”

Qualifying for Saturday’s finals were DWS girls Torri Knight in the 100 hurdles, Laine Moore in the 200 and Melissa McClure in the 100.

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