Kaitlyn Shea had a goal in mind Friday afternoon heading into the girls 3,200-meter run in the Class 4 state track and field championships.
Earlier this month, the senior broke a 10-plus year Helias school record in the event. She wanted to better it.
"I really wanted a personal record, but sometimes things don't go your way," Shea said after she finished fourth in the event at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
Shea finished with a time of 11:09.19, a little less than eight seconds slower than the record.
"I did my best, that's all I could want," Shea said.
Ste. Genevieve teammates Taylor Werner and Mai Jerman finished 1-2 in the event. both eclipsing the 11-minute mark.
"They are very good runners and I'm happy for them," Shea said.
It was the second medal of the day for Shea, who ran the anchor leg on the Lady Crusaders' 4x800-meter ream that finished seventh Friday morning. Other relay team members included Kylie Frank, Molly Light and Lanie Hentges.
"I am so happy for the team, we all worked really hard to get that medal," Shea said.
It's two events down, two to go for Shea. She is scheduled to be part of the 800- and 1,600-meter runs today.
"I'm just going to go out, have fun and do my best," Shea said.
Frank will join Shea in the 800.
Helias is tied for 11th with Carl Junction in the team standings after five events with seven points. Ste. Genevieve is first with 28, with Warrensburg (17), MICDS and Poplar Bluff (tied with 13) and Winnetonka (12) rounding out the top five.
On the boys side, Helias is scheduled to be in two events today.
The Crusaders are in the 4x800-meter relay, while Collin Caywood is slated to be in the long jump.
West Plains is first in Class 4 with 19 points, one ahead of Fort Zumwalt East. Pleasant Hill is third (16), with Festus (15) and Potosi (14) rounding out the top five squads.
Additional coverage from Friday's competition:
Records fall at track and field championships
Roberson claims Class 5 shot put crown
Blair Oaks scores in two events
California's Pickering beats nerves to win title
Southern Boone's Crow advances in two events
Eldon's Rhine to make room for more medals
Another state title for Fatima's Haller
Prep Track: Area competitors in Class 3-5 championships
Prep Track: Class 3-5 state championship results (statewide)