High school runners stay in shape with entry in relay races

With the sun shining brightly above the Show-Me State Track and Field events Sunday, 15-year old Adrienne Cornelius wipes some sweat from her forehead while preparing for her last event and jokes to her mother in the bleachers.

“If I don’t die by the end of this,” she says, “I’ll be a lucky person.”

Cornelius walks to the starting line with her three teamates following close behind.

With the temperature creeping up into the triple digits, Cornelius and her teamates encourage one another before the start of the 4 X 400-meter relay. Cornelius, Alexandra Sickels, 17, Erin Jeffries, 15, and Kali MacLean, 16, attend Higginsville High School. They wore matching Tiger attire including yellow track shorts and black tank tops, topped off with long, yellow ribbons to hold back their hair.

“It just something we all had, we’re pretty excited,” Cornelius said.

The girls came to Columbia with their high school track coach, Steve Cook.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” Cook said.

Cook encouraged the girls to compete in the games because he said he wanted them to see how important it is to train year-round.

“It’s a good wake-up call for them to stay in shape during the summer,” Cook said.

It was the first time any of the girls participated in the Show-Me State Games.

The girls ran in the relay against two other teams of older men. They said they didn’t do as well as they hoped, placing third, but noted they now understand how important it is to train year-round in order to keep in shape.

“It’s still fun, at least we’re out here,” Cornelius said. “I think it’s awesome to see all these older people out doing what they love to do.”

The girls said they will be back next year, and this time, with more of their teamates.