Two highly talented sophomores played a pivotal role in the Laramie High School girls track team placing second at last weekend’s state championships.

Emmy Johnson and Abigail Whitman were at the center of all five event victories the Lady Plainsmen had. Johnson won the 100-meters and 300-meter hurdles, while Whitman captured the 800-meters. Both were part of a winning relay team, with Johnson on the 4x100 and Whitman the anchor of the 1600 Sprint Medley.

KOWB’s David Settle visited with the sophomore stars about their recent performance at state track. They talked about their individual feats, the team finish, the change from running together in events to being apart and more.

Though Mr. Settle did stump them on the Coach Bradfield question, the two have a lot to look forward to in the future. They were two of 12 Laramie girls at state track. Only three team members were seniors.

That fact is not lost on Laramie track coach Gil Bradfield.

“I think it’s a young girls’ team that has a lot of potential for the next two years, and they’re only going to get better.”

As for Johnson’s effort, Bradfield said, “She was determined. She did a lot of work to get over the hurdles and to get better in the hurdles. Then, the whole 100-thing (from being a distance runner last year), and just working on coming out of the blocks.”

Johnson ran the 800-meters, 1600-meters, 3200-meters and on the 4x800 meter relay at state track the year before.

Bradfield admitted that Whitman’s win was the surprise of the weekend.

“I think that was really a big-time win, and I’m really pleased for her. She just worked her tail off. It was pleasing to watch her get it (first-place).”

The future does look bright for Laramie High School girls track with these two talented young ladies leading the charge.

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