Warner glad to get to go to one more state meet
There has only been one time that Central Lady Tiger senior track athlete Avery Warner got to run at the Class 2A State Meet, and that was two years ago as a sophomore when she qualified in the 400-meter dash.
On Monday night after the Class 2A Regional Meet at Okemah and Tuesday morning, she and her 3,200-meter relay team members Cambree Bair, Paris Campbell and Gracie Thompson were wondering if they might be able to get an atlarge bid to state, and Tuesday afternoon came the good news they did — which tickled Warner to no end.
“I was pretty excited,” Warner said. “At first, we weren’t sure if we were going to be able to make it. When I found out we did, we were all excited. It was an exciting feeling. I’m looking forward to it.”
After missing out on a trip to state last year as a junior, Warner is glad to get to go to state one more time — in the last chance to do so.
“I didn’t get to go my junior year, but getting to go my senior year with the relay team is super exciting,” she said. “This will be my last sport at Central, so I’m ending it in a good way.”
An even better way to end things would be for the Lady Tigers’ 3,200-meter relay team to win state at this weekend’s Class 2A State Meet, which will take place today and Saturday at Oklahoma City Western Heights High School.
“If that happens, I would be full of joy and excitement,” Warner said. “It would be a great way to end this year. It’s already been great, but that would kind of top it off.”
No matter how things will turn out this weekend for Warner, this weekend will be her final CHS sporting event in which to participate, so there are mixed feelings for the CHS senior, who knows her immediate future as she signed a letter of intent with the Oklahoma Baptist University pom and dance team on National Letter of Intent Signing Day on Feb. 7.
“There is some sadness because I’ve ran with all my friends every year, and those were exciting times, but also, I’m excited for what’s coming in the future,” she said. “So, this (weekend) is very bittersweet.
“I just want to enjoy the time I have and being grateful to spend it with the girls (fellow members of the 3,200-meter relay team). I want to give it my all for this one last race.”
