By Kevin Labotka
Jaycee Michek lay on her back on the track trying to recover after winning the 300 meter hurdle race at Tuesday's Scenic Bluffs Conference meet.
The victory was Michek's finale to a day that included three individual conference titles which helped the Cardinals cruise to a third-straight team championship.
“I knew winning three would be hard on my body, but I knew I had to for my team,” Michek said. “I knew I had to win so we could get that trophy today.”
Michek started the afternoon by claiming the 100 meter hurdle race with a time of 15.85 - around four seconds faster than second place finisher and teammate Kaliana Schock.
Near the mid-point of the meet, Michek edged Hillsboro's Kaylee Hooks in the open 400. Michek ran a time of 1:01.1 while Hooks was in hot pursuit finishing with a mark of 1:01.2. There was little time for recovery for the junior with just two races between the 400 meter dash and the 300 meter hurdle final.
Michek said she forced herself had to stay mentally strong for her final race, despite how her body felt. The performance yielded a third individual title. Michek won the 300 hurdles with a time of 49.08 after holding off Brookwood’s Miranda Arndt (50.29) who was second.
“I had a lot of encouragement along the way," said Michek. "A lot of my teammates and coaches were just pushing me to finish and I just had my team on my mind and I just had to make it to the finish line.”
That 'team-first' mentality helped the Bangor program win its 23rd girls track and field team title. Michek's three titles were among 10 total events the Cardinals won on Tuesday, May 19. The team scored 212 points, well ahead of second place Cashton which had scored 109.
Being one of the team's bigger point contributors comes with responsibility that Michek has taken to heart.
“My coach is telling me that I am a role model on this team and I hope the younger kids that look up to me and see how strong our Bangor track program community is,” Michek said. “I wanted to show my love and dedication for this sport.”
Michek will turn sights to the WIAA postseason starting Tuesday, May 26. Bangor will travel to Bangor for a WIAA Division 3 regional. The top four finishers in each event will compete for a chance at a state berth in the sectional round on May 29 in Bangor.
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