Charleston – Saturday afternoon the W.Va. State High School Track meet did not quite go as planned for the Bluefield girls relay team.
In the end, however, junior Queen-Asia Padgett, freshman Iyana Patton, along with seniors Arionna Dowell and Cara Brown were all smiles standing on the championship podium.
After receiving a controversial false start call in the 4×200 meter relay, the foursome bounced back to earn state championship medals in the 4×100 meter relay.
“It helped us,” Dowell said. “We wanted this. We had a good chance in the 4×200 and that set us back a little.”
Entering the state meet, the Beavers had posted the sixth best time in the state in the 4×100 relay and were not really expected to contend for the title. Bluefield had the third best time in the 4×200 relay.
When it mattered most, the Beavers were on fire, recording their best time of the season by nearly two seconds.
Padgett was the lead in both races and talked about the controversial false start call.
“I am very sad about it actually. I couldn’t hear the microphone as much,” Padgett explained. “When (the starter) said ready, set, go, I basically had a fast reflex and put my leg out.”
Padgett was true to form in the 4×100 relay, getting a solid start and making a flawless exchange with Patton for leg two.
“It is not to easy,” Patton said about the exchange. “I count the steps and then I take off. She comes in fast, so I just take the (baton) and take off.”
With redemption on her mind, Dowell set the stage for Brown to bring home the state championship.
“My job is to make sure we keep the lead, finish strong and hand it off to Cara,” Dowell said. “I know Cara is going to go as hard as she can.”
With the exchange made, Brown turned her attention to the finish line and turned on the after-burners.
“It is nerve-racking, but you don’t ever want to look back to see where they are,” Brown said. “You just have to tell yourself to keep going.”
Brown held off a late charge from Oak Glen to win by .30 second.
“It was really good. We showed out for the Bluefield community,” Dowell said, smiling.”
