MADISON – French Camp senior Ami Sherrif had another strong meet at the Maverick Invitational hosted by Germantown High School, with a school record in the 1600.
She ran 5:50.17 to finish second, barely losing out to Germantown freshman Marian Jenkins who had a time of 5:50.15. Sherrif's time was 12 second better than the previous school record and more than 25 seconds better than her personal best two weeks earlier in a meet at Madison Central.
Coach Joe Watkins feels she will be a strong contender in the 1600 at the state 1A meet. “There aren't too many people who are gong to stand in her way.”
Sherri also finished third in the 800 (2:44.02) and anchored the 1600 relay team that was fourth with a time of 4:52.84.
Colby Walters also had a strong performance for French Camp in the boys meet, finishing first in the 1600 (5:09.15) and third in the 800 (2:15.06).
Other top eight finishes among the boys were Adlai Urbina, sixth in the 400 (55.27) and sixth in the 800 (2:26.30); Phillip Caradine, eighth in the 200 (25.65); and Jake Seawright, eighth in the 110 hurdles (20.99).
For the girls Tessa Mullins was fourth in the 3200 (16:30.11), Maddi Davis fifth in the 100 hurdles (20.06) and sixth in the 300 hurdles (54.24), Averie Jane Gundy sixth in the 800 (2:59.91) and sixth in the 1600 (6:28.03), Emma Wright seventh in the 400 (1:09.95), and Neviah Gathright, eighth in the 100 (14.58) and eighth in the 400 (1:10.58).
Gundy, a seventh grader, had a personal best in the 1600. “That was a big move on her part,” Watkins said.
Sherrif was joined on the 1600 relay team by Emma Wright, Gundy and Davis. Watkins pointed out that the runners were all tired from previous. “All four girls looked like they were going to fall down.”
He wanted to scratch. “The girls said 'no coach, we want to run.'”
Watkins does not know Sherrif's split for the anchor lap, but said it was probably a personal best for 400. “She was flying. It was unbelievable.”
French Camp will begin the postseason with the District 5-1A meet Thursday at Winona. That will be followed by the region meet, the South State meet and the state meet at Pearl High School. A top four finish will be required at each meet to advance to the next level.
