Emma repeats title: Greencastle standout reaches hallowed ground with one more track crown

Saturday, June 2, 2018
Greencastle High School Junior Emma Wilson (center) captured her second straight state championship in the 3,200 Friday night in the Indiana High School Athletic Association state track and field meet at Indiana University’s Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex. Joining Wilson, who also captured fourth place in the 1,600 Friday night, on the podium are 3,200 runner-up Meagan Hathaway (left) of Fort Wayne Carroll and third-place finisher Tyler Schwartz of DeKalb. See story, page 7A.
Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

BLOOMINGTON — Greencastle junior Emma Wilson said after defending her state title in the 3,200-meter run at the IHSAA state finals on Friday night that an earlier rare defeat in the 1,600 did not especially anger or motivate her.

It sure looked that way, though.

Wilson came out of the gate strongly, running barely in front for the first two laps but having her fastest lap of the entire race on the third trip around the Indiana University track to pull away for a win of more than 11 seconds.

Wilson was never challenged the rest of the way, and was greeted by numerous cheers after she approached the finish line with an impressive third state title in track and field.

“I felt really good, and I thought I would just go for it and see how long I could hold a good pace,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s winning time was 10:27.827, while the runner-up was junior Meagan Hathaway of Carroll in 10:39.233.

Wilson thought she also went out on a good pace in the 1,600, which was run prior to a weather delay of more than an hour that extended the night’s activities longer than expected.

“Then I got a little boxed in,” she said. “It became a ‘kick race’, and everybody just ran really fast. That race gave me a better idea of what I had to do in the 3,200, and I was ready to go again.”

After finding herself in heavy traffic and eventually boxed in during the 1,600 at the IHSAA Track State Finals Greencastle junior Emmal Wilson (401) said she did not use her fourth-place finish as motivation in the 3,200.
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

In the 1,600, Wilson was in second place after one lap with a time of 1:10.981, compared to 1:10.670 for eventual winner Phoebe Bates of Carmel.

Finding herself boxed in by several other runners and unable to get around them, Wilson dropped to fourth place after two laps and remained there going into the final “bell” lap.

Emma Wilson receives her fourth-place medal in the 1,600.
Banner Graphic/Joey Bennett

Wilson’s final lap was her second fastest of the entire race at 1:11.248, but she was unable to make up any ground on the leaders.

Bates, a sophomore, finished with a time of 4:51.79 to beat runner-up Ava Gilliana of Valparaiso (also a sophomore) by less than a second. Zionsville senior Sophia Rigg finished third at 4:52.80, 4.34 seconds ahead of Wilson.

Wilson’s final time of 4:57.14 was a little slower than her seeded time of 4:55.86.

The only other Western Indiana Conference runner in either race was freshman Annalyssa Crain of Edgewood, who was seventh in the 3,200.

Wilson’s total of 16 points put Greencastle 12th in the team standings. Hamilton Southeastern won the team title with 62 points.

Girls’ 1,600 — 1. Phoebe Bates (Carmel) 4:51.79; 2. Ava Gilliana (Valpo) 4:52.54; 3. Sophia Rigg (Zionsville) 4:52.80; 4. Emma Wilson (Greencastle) 4:57.14; 5. Margo Hornocker (Oak Hill) 4:57.49; 6. Maddie Dalton (Carmel) 4:59.63; 7. Katherine Modrall (Brebeuf) 5:05.01; 8. Brennan Hanna (Greensburg) 5:05.57; 9. Abi Little (Noblesville) 5:05.94.

Girls’ 3,200 — 1. Emma Wilson (Greencastle) 10:27.827; 2. Meagan Hathaway (Carroll) 10:39.233.; 3. Tyler Schwartz (DeKalb) 10:41.059; 4. Abby Green (Carroll) 10:43.502; 5. Phoebe Bates (Carmel) 10:44.763; 6. Jordyn Boyer (Lowell) 10:45.603; 7. Annalyssa Crain (Edgewood) 10:46.924; 8. Lulu Black (Hamilton SE) 10:47.668; 9. Shelby Bullock (Chesterton) 10:52.204.