By Robert Morgan | Published Thursday, May 15, 2008
It was an all-girl showcase for Decatur and Bridgeport high schools this year at the University Interscholastic League state championships last weekend. Two Lady Eagles and one Sissie made the trip to Austin in search of a tile.
Decatur's Cynthia Carrillo and Cassie Partridge and Bridgeport's Kassie Daugherty competed in their events on Friday. It was a good thing as a thunderstorm packed with heavy rains, hail and dangerous lightning forced a lengthy delay Saturday afternoon.
However, it was the calm before the storm Friday that was good news for Wise County. That's when Daugherty and Partridge took on the state's best in field events and came out among the best in Class 3A.
Daugherty capped an impressive career with a fourth-place finish in discus. She got her best state finish with a heave of 131 feet, 6 inches.
That was the third longest throw of her career and just shy of her personal record. She broke her own record three weeks ago with a toss of 132-7.
"I had a great day," said Daugherty, who finished eighth at state last year at 117-0. "Of course we all want to win, but that's not possible. I'm happy with how I did this year and not disappointed at all. It was a great way to end."
The state championship went to Sharea Robinson of Corpus Christi West Oso who flung the discus 137-7. Kennedale's Stacia Newton was second at 133-8 and third went to Sealy's Amber Byers at 132-3.
Daugherty's athletic career is far from over. She will play basketball and throw the discus next year at Eastern New Mexico State.
Partridge was the area's biggest surprise. After missing out on regionals last year, she took second this year in Odessa and captured fifth place in Austin. She posted a throw of 39-1 which was a career record that was a foot farther than her Gainesville foe that beat her out for the regional title.
Carrillo was the only area 3A athlete to advance to state in running events. The standout junior finished seventh in the state in the 800-meter race with a time of 2 minutes, 23.6 seconds.
The Lady Eagle standout runner is no stranger to state championship events. This marked her second year at the track finals, and she has also made two appearances in cross country.
Argyle's Kristie Krueger captured the crown after she clocked a 2:14.92.
UIL state championships (top three finishers and Wise County athletes listed) Class 3A Girls
