Snodgrass sets another PR in 800 finals
KINGFISHER RUNNER Scout Snodgrass, left, is pictured with Eric Hudgens, who coaches the Personal Best Athletics track team out of the Tulsa area. Snodgrass has been working with Hudgens this summer in her trek to the AAU Junior Olympic Games in North Caro
As she prepared to leave for the AAU Junior Olympic Games, Scout Snodgrass said the main goal was to set a new personal record in both of her events.
Although she’s only halfway to her goal, she’s already achieved that half two different times.
Snodgrass placed ninth Wednesday in the finals of the women’s 17-18 year-old 800 meter run in Greensboro, N.C.
Her placing was just one short of reaching the medal stand, which also would have earned her All-American status.
However, Snodgrass’ time of 2:17.05 was a new PR.
It eclipsed the mark she set just two days earlier in her preliminary race. There she ran a 2:18.15 in taking second in the third of six preliminary heats. In all, 79 runners competed in the 800.
Snodgrass’ previous best was 2:18.21, which she ran while taking fourth in the event at the Class 4A state meet in May.
Krista Silletti of Greenville, S.C., won the national title with a blazing time of 2:11.68.
Camryn Merryman, who was in Snodgrass’ preliminary heat, was the runner- up in 2:12.33.
All eight medalists ran 2:16.36 or better.
“It was a strong finals field and a super-fast race,” said Eric Hudgens of Personal Best Athletics, the group with which Snodgrass has been training this summer.
Hudgens said the fast field helped push Snodgrass to a PR that was more than a second faster than she ran two days earlier.
“She missed the podium by one spot, but she earned more than a medal through this process,” Hudgens said. “And I trust in God’s hands she has grown in priceless ways throughout the experience.”
Snodgrass was set to compete in the 400 meter dash prelims Friday (after press time of this edition).
No matter her finish there, Hudgens said Snodgrass has achieved a lot so far.
“There’s so much to be grateful for,” he said. “Optimal health, rich relationships shared, her mastery of this elite arena and allaround growth in her gifts.
“I’m beyond proud of her.”