Running down a dream: Dalton girls compete at state

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BETH CHENEVEY

Dalton’s Macy Seeman, Lauren Clos, Brianna Chenevey and Courtney Weaver placed third at the state track and field meet in Columbus June 4.

PHOTOS BY GRACE GREER

Dalton’s Addesa Miller

Dalton’s Molly Soehnlen

Dalton’s Brianna Chenevey, left, and Lauren Clos placed fifth and eighth respectively in 200-m at state track and field meet.

 

By ARIEL STAHLER 

DGKN sports writer

Dalton High School’s girls track 4×100 relay team of Courtney Weaver, Lauren Clos, Macy Seeman, and Brianna Chenevey placed third at the OHSAA state meet at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus on June 4. The team finished in 49.86.

Margaretta High School came in first place at 48.93 and Anna High School placed second with a time of 49.57.

Chenevey and Clos competed in the 200-m dash. The pair, dubbed “elite sprinters” by Dalton Coach Seth Sullivan, have a friendly competition going on as they train and compete and both made it to the podium.

“The girls did an amazing job they really represented Dalton very well,” Sullivan said. ” This year we had six girls make it down to the state meet.”

Chenevey finished fifth at 25.71 and Clos placed eighth at 26.04. Chenevey came in 10th in the 100-m dash preliminary.

“The competition between these two girls is very friendly,” Sullivan said. “In general, they push each other to a level that’s very good for both of them. Having two girls like that on a team is almost unheard of. We were the only team, I at least observed, that was able to have two athletes competing in the same event in the final. It’s very rare you see two girls or two guys qualify. When itt does happen it’s pretty special. For them both to make the podium was just tremendous.”

The 4×400-m relay team of Clos, Molly Soehnlen, Addesa Miller and Chenevey finished 17th in the prelims. Soehnlen was the only senior to make it to state and Sullivan said he expects to see great things for the returning runners next year. He encourages Chenevey and Clos to take a break before cross country training starts and he said they’re two to watch as they break one another’s records.

“They’re some of the best sprinters that Dalton has ever had,” Sullivan said.

Making it to the state meet was a dream come true for Soehnlen and a chance to follow in the footsteps of her sister, Megan, a runner for Central Catholic and Walsh.

“This weekend has been a dream,” Soehnlen said. “Making it to state my senior year meant everything. Everything I’ve worked for in my whole career as a high school runner was meant to lead up to running at one of the state meets. Particularly, I always wanted to compete at the state meet after watching my older sister do the same when she was in high school. I am so grateful for the experience that I got to share with my teammates, especially my fellow relay members because I realize it’s one that rarely comes around. I was so happy to run for my coaches, my teammates, my friends, family and my school. It was even more special as a senior because this was my last chance to wear a Dalton jersey.”

Sullivan said the 4×100 boys team looked good this year but unfortunately Jaiden Malone was injured. He said he hopes to see both boys and girls track team members at state next year. Victoria Oswald and Abigail Bockey traveled to state with the team as alternates and Sullivan said the trip gives them experience to use when they compete.

Soehnlen said she couldn’t have made it without “the strong support of my parents, my siblings, my teammates and my coaches.” To younger athletes with their eyes on competing among the best in the state, she advises that “even though it’s one of the most difficult things in the world, having a positive attitude through the good and bad days is what will make the largest difference in terms of bettering yourself as a runner. Celebrate the good and use the harder days as fuel to push yourself farther.

“Even though sports are a lot of work, it’s also extremely important to have fun with friends. The experiences and memories you will have with your friends through everything will be the most important part and the support of those around you on the team is what will really make the most difference in almost any person.”

Christina McCune contributed to this report.