By STEPHEN MONAHAN, Sports Editor
Gainesville Daily Register
AUSTIN —
Lindasy’s Kelsey Hermes could hear over the PA that she was close to making history.
And as the 1600-meter run concluded, with the crowd handing her welcoming cheers and a standing ovation, the senior etched her name into the record books.
“I could hear them pretty much throughout the race,” Hermes said of the announcement that she was on pace to break the 1A State record. “At the regional meet, I beat it by point-something seconds. I felt bad at regionals, so I couldn’t believe it when they told me my time, so I was trying to get it today.”
Breaking an 11-year record, Hermes ran the 1600 in 5:04.75, unseating Sulphur Springs North’s Tracie Ackerhielm’s time of 5:06.81.
“My legs were obviously tired from the 800,” Hermes added. “I just tried to keep a positive attitude and go out (and compete). I felt pretty good though.”
For the past three years, Hermes has reached State in a distance event, having never captured gold. Last year, she finished third in the mile run and after Saturday’s race, she finally reached her personal milestone.
“I was hoping to finally get a gold and that was my goal,” she said. “It’s really awesome to have a State record and have the school records also, so I’m really excited.”
