North Union’s Gabby Lindsey takes a leap during the Division II girls long jump event at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. The Lady Cat took 15th place overall with her best jump at 16-6.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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With the conclusion of the 2024 track and field season, one Triad athlete reached the awards podium, while one from North Union made the most of her first state experience.
Triad senior Cayla Eaton placed eighth in the finals of the Division III girls 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.31.
Heading into the finals, the Lady Cardinal sat in third place based on her performance in the prelims a day prior.
“What was going through my mind leading up to the finals was that I knew I was ready,” said Eaton. “I was sitting third coming out of prelims, so I knew I had a chance at something I have always wanted.
“I was nervous, but I was ready to show how hard I’ve worked the past four years for this moment,” she said.
Coming out of the starting block, Eaton held a strong pace. However, she was interrupted by a few hurdles along the way. The slip-up culminated in her taking the eighth and final spot on the podium.
“My reaction to hitting not just one hurdle but two hurdles definitely started to make me panic,” said Eaton. “But I’ve hit hurdles before… I tried to get back into rhythm, but it was too late.
“I ended up four-stepping instead of three-stepping,” she said. “After the race was finished, I did lay on the track for a couple seconds.”
The Wittenberg University commit was distraught in the aftermath of her final high school event.
“Although I made it to the state meet and made it to the finals, my heart was absolutely broken and all I wanted was to just go home,” Eaton said. “I kept thinking this is my worst nightmare and it can’t be real.”
The recollection of other memories calmed her mind. From breaking a 36-year-old school record in the 100-meter hurdles to making lifelong friendships, there are many things the Lady Cardinal will look back on with fond memories.
“Looking back now with calmer emotions, I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to run at state and make finals,” Eaton said. “Although it wasn’t what I wanted, I know God has a plan and maybe that’s for somewhere farther along in college.
“My time at Triad went by so fast and four years flew by,” she said.
While one local career ended, another is just beginning for North Union freshman Gabbi Lindsey.
In the days leading up to the Division II state meet, the Lady Cat could not help but feel the pressure of competing on the state’s biggest stage.
“The days leading up to the state meet, I was a little bit nervous each day that was closer to the meet,” Lindsey said. “I overcame it by staying focused at practice and keeping my mind straight. I also would tell myself that I just need to do my best.”
Lindsey’s did not make it to the final stages of the girls long jump.
Her best effort was 16-6 on her first attempt. The Lady Cat placed 15th overall in the event.
“I feel like I didn’t do my best, which it stinks because it’s the biggest meet of the year,” she said. “I was bummed out from my performance, but I just have to remember I was there for a reason.”
Being among some of Ohio’s best athletes can be a daunting task for newcomers. Once Lindsey got used to the venue and the crowd, all those nerves seemingly stopped.
“A factor that surprised me was the feel of the environment around me,” Lindsey said. “Once I was there all of my nerves and everything left my body.”
Making it to the OHSAA state meet has given Lindsey more to strive for as she concluded her first high school season.
“I definitely want to go back to state and maybe in some more events, not just jumping,” she said. “I was .01 of a second off of making it in the 200 dash and that’s what I really wanted to make it in.
“I will definitely have to work hard and get my workouts in, but I really enjoyed the state meet and the time I was there,” Lindsey said.
The Lady Cat athlete said she will have some offseason work to do if she intends to qualify for another state bid and the hope of making it in more events.
“I just need to make myself better,” she said.