Triad High School sophomore Cayla Eaton is pictured running a race during the 2022 season. Eaton will compete in today’s Division III 300 meter prelims during the state track/field meet at The Ohio State University.
(Photo submitted)
—
Cayla Eaton was pretty bummed out when she didn’t qualify for the 2021 Division III state track and field meet that was held at Westerville North High School.
The disappointment, however, fueled a fire that carried her through the off-season and into the 2022 campaign.
“I had to deal with the fact I didn’t qualify for the state meet last year as a freshman,” Eaton told the Journal-Tribune. “Getting to the state this year began for me after the 2021 season and continued through the winter to this spring.”
Eaton’s thirst for a state berth was quenched last weekend when she placed third in the 300-meter hurdles during the D-III regional meet that was held at Troy High School.
The top four finishers in each event advanced to the state.
Eaton will take a seed time of 46.64 into the 300 prelims that are scheduled for 11:20 a.m. today at The Ohio State University’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.
Eaton was clocked in that time during the regional finals, but doesn’t feel she’s run her best race yet this spring.
“I think I can get my time down into the 45’s,” she said. “That’s my goal and if I can do that, I feel I can qualify for Saturday’s finals.
“If I get to the finals, whatever happens, happens.”
The top two placers in each of two preliminary heats will advance to the finals on Saturday.
The next five fastest times will also advance to put nine runners in the finals of the event.
Eaton will run during the second heat of the prelims.
Central Buckeye Conference rival Macy Miller of Fairbanks will run during the first heat.
The lineup for the 300 hurdle prelims (with seed times) is as follows:
Heat 1
-Macy Miller, Fairbanks junior, 48.08;
-Azure Travis, Woodmore sophomore, 46.28;
-Lyv Lindeman, Delphos Jefferson sophomore, 46.41;
-Shelby Grover, Lucas junior, 44.31;
-Maddie McDaniel, Dawson-Bryant sophomore, 46.14;
-Katie Ruffener, Col. Crawford senior, 44.32;
-Kylee Thomas, Dawson-Bryant senior, 47.48;
-Halle Belle, Tri-Village junior, 47.04;
-Rilynn Jones, Allen East freshman, 47.31.
Heat 2
-Corri Vermilya, Loudonville sophomore, 47.70;
-Cayla Easton, Triad sophomore, 46.64;
-Sierra Kendall, North Adams senior, 46.20;
-Sam Hoelscher, Marion Local senior, 45.27;
-Marinna Atanmo, Rootstown senior, 45.73;
-Clara Symington, Steubenville Catholic Central, 45.73;
-Kenadi Yoder, Garaway junior, 46.84;
-Brianna Montgomery, Gibsonburg junior, 47.12;
-Carlee Goodwin, Coldwater senior, 47.42.
“Cayla stepped up to meet expectations as she competed exactly how she needed to during the regional,” said Triad coach Michael Yoder. “We were confident in her ability to run at that speed and on the most critical day she did just that to continue her track season one more week.
“Cayla is fully aware of what needs to be done from this point on as her competition will be strong and challenging for her,” said the coach.
“She is sitting amongst a large talented pack all fighting for those nine spots to run in the finals,” he said. “Cayla definitely has the ability to be state-competitive and is eager to do just that.”
It has been a handful of years since Triad has been represented at the state meet.
No one from Cardinal Nation qualified in 2021.
The entire 2020 high school spring sports season in Ohio was wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s a big honor to qualify for the state meet as a sophomore,” said Eaton. “Hopefully, this is a huge step for all Triad track and field athletes.
“It was disappointing we couldn’t get any relay teams to the state this year,” she said. “We’re going to be working hard next year to qualify for the state in some relay races.”
Eaton competes on the 4×400 and 4×200 relays for the Lady Cardinals.
Her teammates for both events are Abby Overfield, Ashtyn Millice and Ellie Johnson.
The 4×200 relay team of that foursome finished 10th during last weekend’s regional meet.