By By BRUCE HIXON Sports Editor
Just like their male counterparts who took the Class 3A state track title for the second year in a row, the T.R. Miller Lady Tigers took third place for the second year in a row in their state competition held Friday and Saturday at Troy State University.
The six girls the Lady Tigers took to state compiled 58 1/2 points. Leeds (129) and Sheffield (91) took the top two spots.
"We thought we had a chance at a top five spot, but to finish third with no more girls than we took is quite an accomplishment. We only took six and most of them competed in several events," T.R. Miller coach Alan Baker said.
Sophomore Jasmine Sanford provided T.R. Miller with its biggest individual highlight, as she broke her own state record in the triple jump with a winning mark of 36-4 1/2. Sanford had a leap of 36-1 last year when she claimed the title as a freshman.
"When it comes to competition, Jasmine is a lot like Antonio Gomez on the boys side. It seems like she raises her performance to the level of the competition," T.R. Miller coach Alan Baker said.
Although Sanford was the Lady Tigers lone individual state champ, she was not T.R. Miller's only state champ. The Lady Tigers also claimed the 1600 meter relay with the team of Sanford, Joy McCorvey, Keonshaye Lane and Aja McConnico in a time of 4:17.22. Their winning time was more than eight seconds faster than their closest competitor.
The same quartet of Sanford, McCorvey, Lane and McConnico also posted a second place mark in the 400 meter relay with a time of 49.93.
T.R. Miller was able to double place in the 100 meter dash where McCorvey was runner-up in a time of 12.4 and Sanford was sixth at 12.86.
McCorvey was also runner-up in the 200 meter dash where she notched a time of 25.5.
"Our sprinters have done a tremendous job all season. Both relay teams had season best times. Even though they finished second, our 400 meter relay team had a super race and just missed the state record," Baker said. "Joy had an outstanding state meet. She scored points in five events."
Crystal Higdon came in third for the 3200 meter run with a time of 14:05.43.
"Crystal is just an eighth grader. It's a good accomplishment for her to finish that high at this age," Baker said.
T.R. Miller also scored points in the field. In addition to Sanford's record-setting performance in the triple jump, McCorvey posted a sixth place mark in that event with a jump of 32-10 1/4. Lane tied for fifth place in the high jump at 4-8
In places where T.R. Miller competed but did not score, Higdon came in 13th place in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:49.48. Lane was ninth in the triple jump at 31-3 3/4. Megan Fountain took 13th in the javelin with a throw of 52-6.