Friday, April 13, 2001
CHCA record holders chase state titles
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy has had one girl win a state title: three-time tennis champion Audra Falk. Senior track athletes Lauren Kirk and Erin Leeper want to join Falk as title winners.
“Lauren and I are best friends and we push each other,” Leeper said.
One of Kirk's keys to success has been setting goals and mapping out a plan to achieve them.
Less than two months before graduation, two goals seem within reach: She's maintaining an A average, and could win her first state track title in the 100 meters.
Kirk, 18, finished fifth in the 100 at state last year. Three of the four runners (state champion Jamie Welch (12.28), Newcomerstown; Valerie Holland (Lorain Clearview) Ina Jackson (St. Peter Chanel) who finished higher, are back.
“It wasn't my fastest time (12.56),” she said. “I could have done much better.”
Kirk came out of the blocks quickly and held a good lead after 50 meters, but faltered during the final 50.
“I think I got tired and couldn't keep up the pace,” Kirk said. “This year I've worked much harder on my own during the winter. I'm ready to go after it.”
If her performance in winning the New Richmond Invitational (100 meters 13.2 and 300 hurdles 50.1) is an indication of what to expect, Kirk will be tough to beat.
Besides running extra miles during the offseason, Kirk also worked out in the weight room at CHCA to improve her leg and upper-body strength.
“Lauren has a lot of self-motivation,” track coach Jack Bailey said. “She has a positive attitude, never misses practice and works hard the whole time.”
Bailey, Clermont Northeastern's track coach for 17 years before taking over at CHCA in 1997, has put Kirk on the 1600-meter relay team as another way to prepare for the state meet.
“I hate running the relay because it's too long,” Kirk said. “I'm only doing it because coach says it will build my strength.”
Kirk holds the CHCA school record in the 100 (12.5 seconds), 300 hurdles (47.2), 100 hurdles (17.2) and was a member of the record-setting 400 (53.1) and 800 (1:46.8) relay teams.
Leeper, another senior, also could bring home a state championship. She holds school records in the high jump (5-feet, 3-inches) and 200 (26.9) and also competes in relays and the long jump.
“The first time I met Erin,” Bailey said, “I kidded her that with a name like Leeper, she has to be a jumper.
“My best chance at state is in the high jump,” Leeper said. “I think I can clear 5-10 although my highest is 5-7 in practice. It's a matter of mental toughness and hard work during practice.”
The CHCA school record in the long jump is 17-2, but Leeper's best is 16 feet. Her father, Michael, was a high school long jumper and has worked with Erin the past several years.
“Erin has her own style. It's hard teaching her,” Michael Leeper said. “She's been a high jumper for most of her career and didn't start in the long jump until recently.”
Qualifying for state in the 200 is another one of Leeper's goals.
“We treat every meet as another practice,” Leeper said. “Winning isn't important this time of the season. We try to focus on getting better.”
Like Kirk, Leeper also was impressive at the New Richmond Invitational. She won the 200 and the high jump, while finishing second in the long jump.
Bailey said defending champion Cincinnati Country Day will be favored to win the Miami Valley Conference, but thinks CHCA has a chance at its first league title.
“This will be one of the most interesting league meets in years,” Bailey said. “If the girls stay healthy, we have a shot.”
Sports Stories
Reds 11, Pirates 6
Griffey 'understands' rioters' frustrations
Curfew doesn't affect Reds yet
Reds-Mets Scouting Report
DAUGHERTY: Fans' turn to be greedy
LaRue benched after wild night
Dessens may pitch day early
Reds box, runs
Bengals' 2001 schedule is better bye
Bengals seat settlement adjusted
Pelfrey still trying to land NFL job
CHCA record holders chase state titles
