The Tahlequah Tigers will be well represented this weekend when the Class 5A state track and field championships are contested in Oklahoma City.
After last weekend’s regional trials in Owasso, 17 Tiger and Lady Tiger athletes will be on hand this Friday and Saturday at Western Heights High School in a variety of events.
For the guys, it’s mostly about long distance running with Jacob Tiger, who was the regional champion in the 800 and 3200 meter runs and second in the 1600-meter run, leading the way. Also representing the Tigers in the distance events will be Jalen Hooper in the1600 and Kaden Turner in the 3200. Jagger Valdez will be trying to reach the podium in the 300-meter hurdles while Carter Kelly will hurl the discus, and Blayn Justice will throw the shotput.
For the Lady Tigers, the emphasis will be on the relay events. Lakyn Adams, Riley Doston, Khloe Frazier and Rickiyah Edwards will form the 4X100 and 4X200 relay teams. Adams, Frazier and Dotson will be joined by Libby Baker in the 4X400 while Baker, Julianne Burns, Keirakate McInnes and Avan Oxford make up the 4X800 relay team. Adams and Dotson, who finished first and second in regionals, will go for gold in the 400-meter dash while Dynashia Bailey will run the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. In the field events, Addyson Hudgins will take part in the high jump while Sadie Stranglin will throw the shot and discus.
