craigdailypress.com

Fresh of its state record-setting time, the 4x800-meter relay team will make history this weekend by being the first Moffat County tracksters to compete in the Greater Southwest Track and Field Classic Saturday in Tempe, Ariz.

Team members are Stephanie Hurd, a junior, Emily Mortensen, a junior, Charlotte Steele, a sophomore and Laurel Mortensen, a freshman.

A week ago, the team shattered a state meet record with a time of 9:26.01 seconds, which topped the meet mark of 9:43.53 set by Mullen in 1997.

"It was really exciting to be invited to the meet," said Hurd. "When we broke the state record, that was exciting, but when we were invited it seemed what a big a deal it was to break the state record."

"This lets people know that Moffat County is good at track," said Steele. "I am really excited that our state time got noticed."

Laurel Mortensen was shocked to learn the news of the meet.

"It is a very big privilege it was very unexpected," said Laurel Mortensen. "I would never think at the start of the year that our 4x800-meter relay team would be asked to attend such a big meet."

Individuals from Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Nevada will be at the meet.

"It's a nine lane track and in each event there will be teams or individuals from those states," said coach Mike Gleason. "With us being invited to the meet, that means we are one of the top relay teams in the nation."

"I think that it will be really exciting and nervous because we are racing against the people in our region," said Steele. "We are shooting to have personal records in our splits and just have a good race."

Steele is confidence her team will be able to stack up against the rest of the competition.

"We all have the desire to race well," said Steele. "I think that we can keep up with those other girls. As a team, we are looking to get a 9:15."

Emily Mortensen called the meet a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"It will be a really good experience and it will probably be the only time we get to do something like this," she said. "We want to make the best of it."

Gleason is confident his team will benefit from the meet.

"The big thing is that the girls will get to experience a big meet and get the recognition," said Gleason. "It will get them excited for next year to do better than what they did this year. The exposure will be great."

"It will help us mentally and physically because we will understand what we can do and how far we can be pushed," said Hurd. "It will be a really good thing to do."

Laurel Mortensen said the meet is a perfect way to end the season.

"We have worked really hard during the track season," she said. "I think that we deserve this."