Coatesville senior leads the way to Shippensburg University and state meet
By Dave Conard Sports Editor, CoatesvilleTimes.com
Kenya Woodall blew away the competition in the 400-meter dash at districts
COATESVILLE—Running in front of your home fans in a stadium that you have spent countless hours completing circuit after circuit in the get ready for any big meet is always exciting.
Couple that energy with the added adrenaline of the meet being the PIAA District One track and field championships and something special is bound to happen.
On Friday afternoon Coatesville senior Kenya Woodall got the home crowd fried up by setting a new meet record in the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.68 claiming a place in the finals on Saturday.
“Wow I really didn’t feel like I was running that fast,” said Woodall, who competed in four event including the 100 meter dash and the 4 x 100 relay. “It is great to run here at home and the people are great in cheering for us.”
On Saturday, Woodall started her parade to the medals stand by claiming a third place medal in the 100-meter dash as she crossed the line with a time 12.03, which was two ticks slower than her prelim qualifying time of 12.01, finishing behind Jody Anne Evans from Quakertown who finished with a time of 11.86.
While she was waiting to receive her medal for the 100, Woodall calmly went out and shattered her own meet record in the 400-meter dash with a blistering time of 54.06, beating the 2008 time of previous record holder Council Rock South’s Ije Iheoma at 55.08, which was more than a full second quicker than second place finisher Caela Williams of Penn Wood, who posted a bet time 55.81.
Woodall claimed the gold in the 400-meter dash and the 4 x 400 relay for the Red Raiders
“This has been unbelievable, I really didn’t feel like I was going that fast,” added Woodall. “I felt good running, honestly I am a little tires, but to get a new record is really amazing, these girls are all so great. The best part about are district is that the strongest girls in the state are here already so it helps get me ready for next week.”.
PIAA Girl’s class AAA 400-meter dash
Finals
1 Woodall, Kenya 12 Coatesville 54.06*SQS
2 Williams, Caela 11 Penn Wood 55.81 SQS
3 Matthews, Jordan 12 Abington 55.91 SQS
4 Branch, Jamila 10 CB West 56.52 SQS
PIAA Girl’s class AAA 100-mete dash
Finals
1 Evans, Jody-Ann 11 Quakertown 11.86 SQS
2 Richardson, Zakiyyah 12 Pennsbury 12.03 SQS
3 Woodall, Kenya 12 Coatesville 12.03 SQS
4 Watson, Rowanna 11 Norristown 12.27 SQS
