Lily Baker
BLOOMINGTON — Columbus North went into the past two Girls Track and Field State Finals as one of the favorites to win the 4×800-meter relay.
After coming up a little short each of those two years, the Bull Dogs weren’t to be denied Saturday afternoon. They ran 9 minutes, 11.22 seconds to capture the state title at Indiana University.
“It was really exciting,” third runner Julie Klaus said. “This is like three years in the making, and I’m just really proud of all of us.”
Klaus and fellow senior Lily Baker, the anchor, have been on the 4×800 team all three years. After their freshman season was canceled because of the COVID pandemic, they finished third at state in the 4×800 in 2021 and second last year.
“We worked hard for it all three years that we’ve had a track season, and it’s so great for our dreams to finally come true,” Baker said.
Sophomore Carys Glyn-Jones led off the relay for North.
“This is my first state meet, so it’s really cool,” Glyn-Jones said. “I’m so happy to have done this with them in their last year.”
Senior Julia Kiesler ran second for the Bull Dogs and rallied them from seventh to second. Then Klaus moved them into first and Baker held on for the win.
“It was just unreal watching Lily cross the finish line,” Kiesler said. “I couldn’t believe it. It was awesome.”
All four relay team members also competed in individual events later in the meet. A complete wrapup and photos from Saturday’s girls state meet can be found in today’s sports section.
