John Carroll indoor track // John Carroll senior distance runner Erika Stasakova had a record-setting night at last Friday's Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland championship meet. Stasakova set meet records in both the 1,600 (5 minutes, 15.12 seconds) and the 3,200 (11:22.36) and scored easy victories in those races. Her 20 points helped the Patriots finish in fourth place overall. Seton Keough won the meet.
"[Stasakova] continually amazes us," John Carroll coach Rob Torres said. "She's one of the most phenomenal runners I've ever had the pleasure of coaching."
Stasakova really pointed toward setting the mark in the 3,200, jumping out to a huge lead in the first few laps that no one came close to. She won that race by over 41 seconds. Teammate Elizabeth Tauber got second place in 12:03.43.
The record had been previously held by former John Carroll runner Brittany Furst, and it was the mark that Stasakova wanted to break. She did nearly as well in the shorter run, getting challenged later in the race and pulling away for an easy victory. Stasakova has gotten a full scholarship to run for Lafayette. Her next big indoor meet is on state private school championship on Feb. 9 at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. |