A healthy Austin McCracken is making up for a slow start to this season by making a late-season surge.
The Nixa junior won the 100 in 11.17 at the Republic Relays last week. He posted a personal record time of 11.07 at the Southwest Baptist Invite earlier in the week.
“I had a groin injury (at the season-opening Neosho Relays) and never got in a rhythm,” McCracken said of his slow start. “I felt it a lot when I was running, especially in the 100 because I'm going all-out. I couldn't squat and sprint at practice. I’m getting back in it. I’m a lot better now.”
McCracken had been injury-free during his track and football careers prior to this spring.
“I hadn't got hurt at all. I'm thankful for that,” He said. “(First injury) junior year in track season, that's super lucky.”
McCracken is optimistic he can cut his PR. He doesn’t feel he ran a perfect race at SBU.
“I started off the blocks slow and didn't feel like I ran a good time,” he said. “But when I looked at my time, I was like, 'Okay.' If I can get my start down, I feel like I can break 10.”
McCracken has momentum on his side.
“Throughout the year I had been kind of (iffy) with my confidence,” he said. “Getting good times helps a lot and gets me going for COC and Districts.”
The Eagles other winners at Republic were Carter Krummen in the discus (156-03/4) and their 4 x 100 relay in 44.99.
Ozark received firsts from Justin Baker in the 100 (54.9)
The Tigers’ runner-up finishers were Nolan Moeller in the 1,600 (4:42),
Nixa’s second-place finishers were Dylan Ihasz in the 400 (55.98), Mason Shank in the 800 (2:03), Jaydon Antonelli in the shot put (45-4), Afton Hopkins in the pole vault (12-6) and Jacob Miller in the high jump (5-73/4).
The Eagles’ 4 x 400 and 4 x 800 relays were also second.
