Strategy played a big role Friday afternoon for Brianna Haller.
Just like every other meet, the Fatima freshman and her coaches had a plan heading into the 3,200-meter run final in the Class 3 state track and field championships at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
"We usually come up with it the week before and then work on it in practice all week," Haller said.
This week's plan?
"It was for my last lap to be faster than my first lap," Haller said.
So lap 8 needed to be faster than lap 1 in a two-mile race? Um, OK, sounds easier said than done.
"I thought it was impossible going in," Haller said.
She didn't achieve it, lap 8 was about 1.5 seconds slower than lap 1. But it was plenty fast enough as Haller captured the state title.
Haller dueled with East Newton junior Emily Sorrell for most of the race. The two were separated by less than a second at the conclusion of each of the first seven laps, with Haller always in front.
"I like to be the leader," Haller said. "I want to be ahead so I don't have to worry about catching up."
But Sorrell wasn't going to let Haller get away.
"She pushed me, she made me stay on pace," Haller said. "But on that last lap, I really wanted to be a state champion again, so I gave it all I had."
Haller finally got some separation about midway through the final lap, finishing with a time of 11:20.42. Sorrell closed with a time of 11:31.74.
It is Haller's second individual state title this school year. She won the Class 2 cross country crown last November at the Oak Hills Golf Center.
Haller also ran the anchor leg on Fatima's 4x800-meter relay team that finished fifth earlier Friday. The foursome of Madison Day, Brittany Meyer, Grace Eisterhold and Haller finished with a time of 10:11.61.
The Lady Comets also got points Friday from Katie Eichholz, who finished sixth in the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 101/2-inches.
Fatima is third in the team standings after the opening day of the championships. Through five events, the Lady Comets have 17 points. John Burroughs is first with 21.5, while East Newton is second with 18. Eldon (16) and California (10) round out the top five squads.
Action will resume at 9 a.m. today. The Lady Comets will have chances to score in three events - the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relays as well as Michelle Barnhart in the 800-meter run.
Eichholz just missed advancing to today's final in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing ninth with a time of 15.816. Shayla Davis of Cardinal Ritter claimed the final qualifying position in 15.812.
The Fatima boys will be in two events today - the 4x800-meter final and James Rakestraw in the high jump.
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
Prep Track: Area competitors in Class 3-5 championships
Prep Track: Class 3-5 state championship results (statewide)