Local track athletes compete strong at UIL state meet

While no area athlete took home medals over the weekend, each performed well and got the chance of a lifetime of performing in the UIL State Track and Field Championships in Austin. For the first time since 2004, Graham sent a relay team to state. Allison Lee, Rosie Schaffer, Claire Jones and Summer Croxton represented the town in the 4x200 relay on Saturday. The group, which featured alternates Chloe Menard and Julia Grimes, took sixth place with a time of 1:43.96. The Lady Blues were just three seconds away from medaling. Atlanta took gold with a run of 1:39.16 with Dallas Carter's relay team having a time of 1:40.45 in third. The relay team improved significantly on their time compared to the district and area meet. The foursome ran a 1:49.83 on April 5 while recording a 1:45.38 on April 18. Graham's relay team has been neck-and-neck with district rivals Vernon all season long. The Lady Lions got the better of the Lady Blues team at the district meet, but Graham got the upper-hand at the area track meet in Abilene on April 18. With both relay squads earning trips in the 4x200 race, the Lady Blues managed to fend off Vernon's relay team at state one final time. Shykerra Fanner, Bethany Jones, Avery Kinner and Rayah Coleman of Vernon ran a 1:44.02 on Saturday. For the rest of this story, subscribe to our print or online edition.