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3A track and field: Andrews seniors chase success in Austin
Comments 0 | Recommend 0The Andrews girls track and field team did not enjoy much success in Hollie Smith's first three seasons as the coach.
That has chancged this season because of a pair of seniors.
Emily Eisenrich is making her second consecutive trip the UIL Class 3A State Track and Field Championships, while Brittaney Abney is going for the first time. They will compete today in Austin.
"I think every year the kids have gotten better and better," said Smith, who is in her fifth year at Andrews. "They are winning now, so that makes a huge difference. The younger kids see what it takes. The more success (for the team), the more kids stick around."
Smith said all four girls teams - seventh, eighth, junior varsity and varsity - have won district titles in the past two seasons and that Andrews had 42 girls out for the team.
"The younger kids show up and watch," Smith said. "They are keeping up with the times and want to beat them. Even at the junior high level, they are excited."
Eisenrich finished eighth in the high jump at state last season, but she is confident she has a chance at a state title this year.
"I think I am capable of jumping 5-8," she said. "My goal is to get 5-6, and then after that who knows. I've really been visualizing a lot, and I am hoping that can help in competition."
Eisenrich will be facing a familiar foe in Monahans' Kati Holly, who has the top qualifying height at 5 feet, 8 inches. Eisenrich is seeded third.
Abney is seeded eighth and is a foot behind the leader, but she had a career-best jump of 17-9 1/2 at a state qualifiers meet in Abilene.
"At McMurry, everything was fine and I was jumping consistent 17s," she said. "Hopefully everything clicks and the nervousness isn't too much to handle. Hopefully the adrenaline rush helps me."
No matter how either finishes at state, just earning a spot in Austin is an accomplsihment.
"At first, it discouraged me being seeded eighth," Abney said, "but my mom told me not to be upset because it is eighth in the state."
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