Friday, June 01, 2001
Ky. girls track preview
Brossart chases fifth straight state title
By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor
The Bishop Brossart girls track and field team will be trying for its fifth consecutive Class A state title, which was scheduled to start today and conclude Saturday at the University of Kentucky's Shively Track and Field Complex in Lexington.
“It doesn't happen too often,” Brossart coach Dave Schuh said. “It's a goal they kind of have had in the backs of their minds. They've been thinking about it. They think they have a chance.”
Brossart leads a group of Northern Kentucky teams and individuals to Lexington that also includes Notre Dame, which last week earned its first Class AAA regional championship since 1994. The Class AAA contingent features Boone County senior Christen Jones, the defending champion in the 100-meter dash. Jones also qualified for the state meet in the 100 hurdles, 200 dash and 300 hurdles. Ryle's Suzanne Funken also qualified in four events - the high jump, triple jump, long jump and 100 hurdles.
Newport's Valerie Raisor will defend the Class AA shot put title she won last year.
The Lady 'Stangs are led by three defending state champions. Sophomore Stephanie Clark won the 800 last year, while junior Megan Uebel will defend her triple-jump title and senior Jennifer Hartig will chase her second consecutive pole vault championship. She set the state record by reaching 10 feet last year.
“She (Clark) has a real good chance to win,” Schuh said. “Stephanie has the second-fastest time in her event going into the meet, and Megan has as good a chance as anybody again.”
Brossart's chances should be enhanced by the return of senior Katie Schwegmann, who participate in the last event of her outstanding prep career. Schwegmann had arthroscopic surgery on her left knee April 10, but qualified for the state meet in the 1,600. Schwegmann missed the entire 2000 season after tearing a ligament in her knee.
“She's part of the team,” Schuh said. “She's one of the ingredients. She's helped us out pretty much. She hasn't got a lot of miles in her, but she's doing the best she can.”
Brossart's chances also are improved by the experience of its veterans, Schuh said.
“There weren't a whole lot of new people who came out of nowhere to help us this year,” he said. “Most of the people we're counting on have been there before. We have a lot of juniors and seniors. We have an awful lot of experience.
"We only have a few seniors,” he added. “We have a lot of good juniors. Next year, we should be pretty good, too. I don't know about after that.”
Schuh expects the Lady 'Stangs' primary competition to come from Fort Knox, a team Brossart beat in an indoor meet, and Trigg County.
“Trigg County has good sprinters, and Fort Knox is very strong,” he said. “They have a lot in the jumps, sprints and hurdles.”
Danville is the only other school to have won five consecutive girls track championships. The Lady Admirals actually won six in a row — five AA titles from 1983-'87 and the '88 Class A championship.
Schuh believes Brossart's tradition provides as much motivation for the Lady 'Stangs to extend their streak as it does for opponents to snap it.
“We're a good team,” he said. “Most people around the state realize that. You always want to beat the best. I think that does make us a target. Everybody wants to beat the best.
“The girls are proud of what they've accomplished the last couple of years. ... They have a lot of pride in what they've done.”
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Ky. girls track preview
