GUTHRIE CENTER — Interstate 35 senior Holly McKinney had a big night here on April 17 at the Tigerette Relays.
McKinney lowered her own school records in the 3,000 meters and the 1,500 meters and ran a personal best in the 800 meters, inching closer to the school record in that event.
"Holly had a career night," Roadrunner head coach Desman Oakley said. "Since we've had some time off meet wise, Holly's been able to get in some good conditioning. We don't always run her in all three distance events, but she is strong and ready this year."
McKinney won all three events at the Tigerette Relays.
She clocked a time of 2:32.98 in the 800 meters, setting a new personal best by four seconds. That time also moves her within two seconds of the Interstate 35 school record from the early 1990s.
"She told me that she's feeling good," Oakley said. "I told her that she is looking good. Her mindset is free and she is going for it. Destiny Scar from Nodaway Valley has been a big push for Holly this year. She is a great competitor."
McKinney started her night with a win in the 3,000 meters, running 11:17.40 to win the race by 15 seconds. She capped off her night with a win in the 1,500 meters, running 5:13.64.
"Holly's preseason goals were to lower these records and break the 800 record," Oakley said. "She's got a good chance to do so. Holly will look to qualify for state in these three events later in the season."
As a team, Interstate 35 finished fifth in the 17-team field with 67 points. PCM won the meet with 140 points.
"We have some youngsters starting to make some noise on our team," Oakley said. "Our veterans continue to lead us in the right direction, and our marks are going down. We are getting ready for our preliminary peak on May 5 at POI Conference."
The Interstate 35 4x100 relay team did not qualify for the Drake Relays this year, missing out after qualifying the past two years.
The Roadrunners came up .19 seconds short of the 80th and final qualifying spot.
"After making it the last two years, the quartet was disappointed, but is now looking toward conference, districts and state," Oakley said.
The Roadrunners return to action today at Martensdale-St. Marys.