Charleston’s Garrett rallies to finish 5th in girls state 800 meters

Megan Garrett knew she had to stay calm after being pushed out wide and toward the back early in the IHSA girls state 800 meters race Friday afternoon.

Sitting in ninth place midway through the two-lap race at O’Brien Stadium, the Charleston senior set her sights on those runners within reach.

“I tried picking off a few girls,” Garrett said, “and then tried to kick it in and pass as many girls as I could.”

Garrett finished strong enough to pass four runners and take fifth overall in 2 minutes, 17.34 seconds – about three seconds behind her school record mark of 2:14.18 that earned a sectional title. But plenty fast in the hot, muggy afternoon race on EIU’s campus.

Garrett had a stellar track season, setting school records across the 400, 800 and 1,600 meters this season. Garrett, who is headed to compete for Division II perennial national contender Adams State, also earned all-conference honors in cross country last fall.

Garrett took sixth place in the 800 during both her freshman and sophomore seasons.

800 METER RESULTS

PL	YR	NAME	TIME	SCHOOL
1	SR	Marianne Mihas	2:13.00	Chicago Latin
2	FR	Becca Heitzig	2:13.90	Lincoln
3	SO	Colleen Zeibert	2:13.99	Rochester
4	JR	Ava Parekh	2:16.43	Chicago Latin
5	SR	Megan Garrett	2:17.34	Charleston

Mattoon junior Maya Cook, meanwhile, recorded her second longest throw of the season in the shot put at 36 feet, 8 1/4 inches to finish 12th out of 24 competitors.

“She had a great finish and got her legs under her,” Mattoon coach Troy Haacke said. “For her first trip to state, she did great. She handled the pressure and ended up having a great day.