Timpview boys, Orem girls take titles

PROVO — Classic battles between sprinters and distance runners were waged at the Region 7 Championships on Thursday.

Timpview and Orem claimed the boys and girls titles respectively, as Springville finished second in both contests. The T-birds won their title by dominating the sprints, holding off Springville's talented crew of distance athletes.

Orem used a different approach to win its first girls region track title in almost two decades. Led by sprinting stars and depth in the distance events, the Tigers were able to fend off a valiant effort from Springville.

Hurdler Mindi Robins dominated, taking both the 100 and 300 hurdles titles. In the latter race, Robins ran away with a time of 44.73, besting second place by nearly three seconds. Natasha Martin blew away the field in the 100m, as she covered the distance in 12.31 seconds.

Springville kept it close with their depth, as Lindsey Bailey and Kayla Warren each placed in the top four to qualify for the state meet. Martin followed up her effort in the 100 meters with a close finish in the 200 meters, as Lehi's Christina Measom edged her out at the line, winning in a time of 25.65.

The difference for Orem was made in the distance events. Sophomore Krystal Harper triumphed in the 800 and 3200-meter runs. The Tigers also picked up 14 points to Springville's zero in the 1600m. The points came with a scare for the Tigers, however, as their top finishers were threatened with disqualification as a number of Orem supporters moved onto the track to cheer their team.

Kate Harline and Kendy Christensen finished first and fourth, sandwiching Payson's Melissa Baird and Timpview's Amelia Troutner.

Other individual winners included: Christina Measom in the 400m; Orem's Krystal Harper in the 800 and 3200m; Nichole Campbell of Springville in the javelin; Timpview's Ella Moe in the shot put.

On the boys' side, Timpview edged out Springville after a back and forth battle.

"I was on pins and needles, 'cause it was close all the way," said Timpview coach Brian Kuhlman. "It just came down to the last two events."

The final call wasn't made until well after the track events were finished, when the results came in for the boys discus. Timpview came away with first and sixth place to edge out the Red Devils.

"It was a classic meet 'cause it was our sprinters against Springville's distance." Kuhlman said. "We scored in everything, and that was what was big for us."