Last year was for sure a learning experience for Miami Trace’s Katie Seyfang.
As a freshman, she qualified to the Regional in the shot put, only to place a disappointing 16th.
This year, Seyfang has shown tremendous improvement and is headed to the State track meet in the shot put after placing second at the Regional last week at Athens High School with a throw of 38’ 5 1/4”.
Last year, Seyfang entered the Regionals with a throw of 32’ 5 1/2. Her best attempt at the Regional was 29’ 4”.
This year, Seyfang won the District title at Washington High School with a throw of 38’ 7”.
She placed second at the District in the discus throw with a personal best of 119’ 2”.
At the Regional, Seyfang placed 11th in the discus at 93’ 8”.
The Record-Herald talked with Seyfang before her practice session Tuesday afternoon.
Seyfang first spoke about Saturday’s Regional discus competition.
“It didn’t go the way I wanted,” Seyfang said. “But, I wasn’t too pressed, because I made it (to State) in shot.
“In disc, I’ve had a rough time all year,” Seyfang said. “I was just happy to be there. I really didn’t have any expectations, so I was fine with the outcome.
“I threw 119 at the District and that was nice,” Seyfang said. “I was hoping to repeat it Saturday, but, I’m not really pressed about it.”
Seyfang’s career best throw in the shot is 39’ 1”, which came in the first meet of the year at Circleville.
Seyfang will be in the second flight of eight throwers Saturday. The shot put event is held across the street from the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at The Ohio State University. The event begins at 9:30 a.m.
Her throw of 38’ 5 1/4” places Seyfang 11th in a field of 16 Division II competitors from all over Ohio.
“I only know the other three girls from our Regional,” Seyfang said. “I’m not too worried. I’m just happy to be going up there. I beat my goals for this year. I’m just happy I’m improving.
“I’m not really going in with any expectations,” Seyfang said. “Last year at the Regionals, I didn’t do too well. So, I’m just hoping this year goes better than that. Next year I hope to build on what I’ve done this year.”
“Sometimes things happen,” Miami Trace head coach Brent Noes said. “And we didn’t have our best day Saturday. But, that’s alright. She had already qualified to State in the shot.
“We’re going to take it with mixed emotions,” Noes said. “Now, she only has one event to focus on. So, she can put all of her energy and effort into one event and go from there and try to reach the podium (top eight).”
