BELLAIRE - The Wildcats are looking to claim another championship.
The Edison girls track team claimed a county championship by winning the Jefferson County Relays April 14 at the Harding Athletic Complex in Steubenville. The girls will look to win a conference championship today as Edison takes part in the Buckeye 8 Meet at Bellaire.
Field events for the boys and girls are scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
Article Photos
Edison’s Ashley Borsch runs during a relay race March 24 at Steubenville. (Photo by Aaron Petchal)
"It's a big meet for us," Edison head coach Jamie Evans said. "Winning the conference championship is one goal we set at the beginning of the season. We talked to each kid individually and as a team, and they said winning the Buckeye 8 was one of their goals. We told the kids that are goals are still ahead of us. This is an important part of the season, and that we need their best performances."
The Buckeye 8 is made up of Bellaire, Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Central, Indian Creek, Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville and Union Local.
"I think we have seen all of the teams one way or another throughout the course of the season," Evans said. "The Martins Ferry girls are really, really good. They are solid all the way through. They have some good sprinters, runners and middle distance people. They are good at everything. They have gotten better throughout the course of the year. The girls know they are going to have to step up if they want to win tomorrow.
"There are a lot of good boys teams. St. Clairsville, Harrison Central and Buckeye Local are all good."
Last season, the Wildcats finished second on the girls side and eighth on the boys side.
"We have nowhere to go but up on the boys side," Evans said. "The boys have run real well all year, and I think they run well tomorrow."
The Wildcats are entering the meet follow a bit of a break.
Edison last competed last Tuesday in a dual meet at home against Catholic Central. The Wildcats swept the Crusaders. The Edison boys won the dual, 80-57, while the Wildcats came out victorious on the girls side, 92-45.
The Edison boys won 11 events. Individually, freshman
Preston Collins won two individual events to lead the way. Collins won the pole vault (9-6) and the 1600 (5:00).
The Edison girls won 12 events.
Sophomore standout Katelyn Pollock won three individual events to lead the way for the Wildcats. Pollock won the high jump (5-0), the 400 (1:05.2) and the 800 (2:52).
Ashley Borsch and Tori Turnbull also won two individual events for Edison. Borsch won the 200 (28.6) and the 300 hurdles (49.5). Turnbull won the shot put (29-1.5) and the discus (89-4).
"We are excited," Evans said about his team's trip today to Bellaire. "We are hoping for some better weather. We hope it is a little nicer than it was today. We are looking forward to going down there. Bellaire usually runs a pretty good meet. It is usually nice and smooth. Hopefully, not too much longer from now tomorrow we'll be able to find out where we stand."
Edison has competed against Buckeye Local and Indian Creek at a couple of big meets already this season. All three teams competed at the Early Bird Invitational March 24 at Steubenville before competing at the county relays.
"We are rounding into form," Evans said. "We are starting to run our best. The boys have impressed us all year. They are getting better and better. The girls are starting to come around. We were a little sluggish to start the season. They are competing well right now, and hopefully they can get the wins we need tomorrow. There are a lot of important races that is going to be the difference tomorrow."
The Wildcats have three meets scheduled for this week.
"It is our last real-busy week," Evans said. "We have the OVAC's coming up next week."
Edison will be taking part in a quad Thursday at Beaver Local. Oak Glen and Wellsville are also scheduled to be taking part in the meet.
"It all depends on where you are at," Evans said about competing in three meets in less than a week. "This week is going to be stressful. There is going to be heavy competition with three big meets in one week, but I think our kids are going to respond well to it."
Edison finishes the week Saturday at the Brooke Classic.
"When you have two invitationals in week, there is a lot of emotion with getting up to run and having big races," Evans said. "This week, with having the Buckeye 8 early in the week, there is a little time in between the invitationals. I think we will do just fine."
