Senior Bree Paul has been aiming for one of the oldest records track and field records at Tyrone since her junior year.
The girl’s 300 hurdle record has stood since 1997, and Paul began the season intending to break it by the end of her senior year.
She didn’t have to wait that long.
On April 16 at Penns Valley, with temperatures in the mid-50s and just a light breeze, conditions were almost perfect for a record-breaking run.
“Beating the record in 300 hurdles has been a huge goal of mine for the past two years. After running a PR of 49.23 at Bald Eagle I knew that the record was in reach, and I hoped to get it by the end of the season. I’m super excited and although I know it will take a lot of hard work, I hope to keep dropping time throughout the season,” Paul said.
To make her record-setting run even more impressive, she learned that half the hurdles were mistakenly set at the boy’s height. Despite the error, Paul ran a time of 48.34 seconds, beating the previous record of 48.37 set by Jessica (Sprankle) Walker.
Walker learned that her record fell from an Eagle Eye social media post.
“My first thought was surprise that I held the record that long. Then, I was happy that another athlete was able to break my record,” Walker said. “I remember the feeling of breaking a record and the excitement of representing my school. That’s what records are for – to break, but I also felt slightly sad because it was the last record I still held.”
Walker was so impressed by Paul’s accomplishment that she stopped at practice on Monday, April 22 to congratulate her personally.
“I thought it was super nice of her to stop by and congratulate me. I was glad to have the opportunity to meet her,” Paul said.
With the 4×100 relay record also falling this season, the Tyrone girls are excited about their prospects at districts and hopefully beyond.
“I think Bree breaking the record is amazing. The confidence coming from her this year makes watching her extremely enjoyable,” said Tyrone Head Coach Brad Kanuch.
Paul has continued to improve as the season progresses. At the Bellwood Invitational on Monday, Paul set another record by finishing in 47.46.
Paul hopes to PR again at districts and is hoping for a trip to states this year.
