With multi-state champion Riley Arnold on her heels, Spokane’s Lily Hunsucker raced to a first-place finish in the 1,600 at the Spokane Relays last week.
Hunsucker led from start to finish and posted a winning time of 2:28. Arnold was second with a 2:30.
“Having the fear there is a real motivator,” Hunsucker said of racing against Arnold. “Knowing someone can catch you easily makes you want to go harder. I heard people cheering for her as I went by them, so I knew she was close.”
Arnold wasn’t 100 percent. She is recovering from a calf injury.
“I'm kind of worried about her injury,” Hunsucker daid. “I want her to do well. When she does well, I do well.”
Hunsucker made a point to start strong and bolted out in front almost immediately.
“I might have started out a little too hard, but it was a good start,” she said. “I've been boxed in too many times. At State last year, I got boxed in badly and couldn't get out of it for a while and I got elbowed, so I don't like getting boxed in.
“Also, I have a tendency to stay on the same pace, so I'm scared that if I start out too slow, I'll stay at the same pace the whole time,” she added.
Looking ahead, Hunsucker set Spokane’s school record in the 800 earlier this season and is trying to break her mark.
“I want to get the record again and get down to the 2:25 range,” she said.
Hunsucker also won the 1,600 (5:39). She is undefeated on the season in both the 800 and 1,600.
Spokane’s Maggie Czachowski won the 100 hurdles (17.30) and 300 hurdles (49.30), Madison King won the 3,200 (12:52) and the Lady Owls won the 4 x 400 relay (4:21).
Sparta’s winners included Rylie McMurry in the high jump (4-7) and Megan Brown in the javelin (101-1)
Chadwick’s Chloe Burkhart was first in both the shot put (34-4) and discus (93-3).
