FRIDAY, MAY 31, 2024 – DAYTON
A great track season for the Covington Buccaneers came to a close in grand fashion as senior Asher Long finished second at state in the 3200 meter run and sophomore Day’Lynn Garrett finished sixth at state in the 300 meter hurdles.
Asher Long closed out his career as one of the premier distance runners in school history as he earned his second state medal in track by taking second with a finishing time of 9:14.85, which broke the previous school record he set earlier in the year with a time of 9:16.49.
“I didn’t think that was possible,” Long said. “Looking back to my freshman year when I was seventh at the regional, I don’t think I could have expected all this. I couldn’t have asked for much more in my final race.”
Last season Asher finished fifth at state in the 3200 with a time of 9:34.01. Today, Long matched the highest state placement in school history in the 3200 as Ryan Stover finished runner-up in the 3200 in 1989 with a time of 9:40.92.
In the final race of his high school career, Long set the tone early.
“I knew those guys would go out slow,” Long said. “They both have good kicks. So, I wanted to go out fast and run my race.”
Long’s strategy was perfect as it gave him the opportunity to make history, which he accomplished.
Day’Lynn Garrett concluded an outstanding sophomore season by finishing sixth at state in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 40.28. The time was a little longer than his preliminary time of 39.77, but his overall performance was outstanding considering this was his first year as a hurdler.
“I am only a sophomore, so my goal was to get on the podium,” Garrett said. “It feels good (to get on the podium), but the race was tiring. I think I was probably more nervous at regionals, because tonight I was already here.”
Day’Lynn has lofty goals for the future.
“I want to come back and win it,” he said.
A MEMORABLE FIRST DAY AT STATE
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2024 – DAYTON
Covington had a solid opening day at the state track meet and still have two athletes in potential to reach the podium tomorrow.
Sophomore Day’Lynn Garrett put together a great performance in the prelims of the 300 meter hurdles by advancing to the finals with his personal best time of 39.77. Garrett finished third in his heat with the seventh fastest overall time in the prelims.
The girls 4×800 meter relay team of Elyza Long, Carlie Besecker, Ramse Vanderhorst and Johanna Welborn finished 15th out of 18 teams with a time of 9:55.84.
In the prelims in the 400 meter dash, Carlie Besecker came up short of qualifying for the finals in a highly contested race as she finished fourth in her heat and 12th overall with a time of 1:00.09.
Preston King, who set the school record in the high jump with a height of 6-5, bounced out at state by failing to clear the height of 6-0. Still, King’s junior season was a great year and he has another opportunity to increase his success next year as a senior.
Tomorrow Covington senior Asher Long will compete in the 3200 meter run and Day’Lynn Garrett will compete in the finals of the 300 meter hurdles.
