Terrier girls track CCHS girls claim sixth at state

The Carbondale girls track team finished sixth in the state in the 2A Ladies' Outdoor Track and Field Championships last weekend in Charleston.

Terrier thrower Sydney Apgar led the way for her team by setting a Carbondale discus record with a toss of 142 feet, 9 inches, winning that event. Apgar also finished seventh in the shot put with a toss of 38 feet, 7.75 inches. That double gave her 12 of her team's 30 points.

Unfortunately, top Carbondale sprinter Keona Love did not qualify for her individual specialties (100- and 200-meter dashes), or the team may have finished even higher.

However, Love along with Akira Custer, Zoie Saunders and Kiara Cobb finished second to state champ East St. Louis in the 4X100 meter relay. The Terriers' 47.71 second time was a Carbondale school record and only .1 of a second behind the Flyers.

Carbondale's 4X400 meter team finished third in 4:01.95 - only half a second off the runner-up's time.

Everyone but Love will come back in 2020 in the 4X100, and all four of the 4X400 squad returns next season.

"I'm so proud of this group and the amazing season we've had," said coach Stephen Arvaris on the CCHS Twitter feed. "No matter what the adversity, they never backed down from the challenge."

Also, special note must be given to Chris Apple, Carbondale's throws coach, who has produced two state champs in the last few years. Current SIU thrower Sam Sikon was coached by Apple when he won both the shot and discus championships before signing with the Salukis, and now Apgar is a dual threat in high school - and may be in college, too.