Two uniquely talented Mansfield Lady Tigers had their sights set on the ATCA Indoor State Finals for quite some time. With very different skill sets, each put their best qualities forward on Friday, February 28 to claim individual state championships.
At the Arkansas Track Coaches Association Indoor State Finals inside the Randal Tyson Track Complex on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, Skylynn Harris and Sadie Roberts took center stage for the Tigers.
Harris beamed first with a monster throw in the senior girls shot put. Pushing the 4K (8.8 pound) ball 33 feet 8.75 inches, the Mansfield freshman beat her closest rival by 11 inches to win her first individual state championship in the class 3A girl’s division. She was also the overall state champion among all small divisions from classes 1A through 4A.
“We’ve been talking about this moment since her seventh grade year,” said long time Tiger track coach John Mackey. “I thought she had it in her to be a champion. It starts with a belief, and then you go out and prove it. Sky did just that. So, excited for what she has accomplished.”
Following that momentum boost, it was Mansfield sophomore Sadie Roberts’ turn at the high jump pit. Missing out on All-State honors at last spring’s outdoor state finals by a mere scratch, Roberts was focused for a return to the big stage.
The Lady Tiger leaper was the only class 3A girl to clear five feet. The measure, coming on Roberts second attempt, clinched the class 3A individual state title.
“Sadie has as good a technique over the bar as anyone,” stated Mackey. “It helps that she has Coach (Kaylie) Pyles as a mentor. Coach in her day, and now Sadie continue a long list of Mansfield high jumping greats. Very proud of our newest state champ.”
The Lady Tiger pair played prominently in Mansfield’s overall team score. The dynamic duo accounted for over half of the team’s 38.34 points en route to a fifth place team finish.
