Brownstown sophomore Camryn Thompson doesn’t have a whole lot of rituals before she competes in an event, except for one small thing that has caught on throughout the season.
About an hour before her first event, the 100-meter hurdles, Thompson will eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Why? First off, she enjoys them. Secondly, to get something in her system that’s not too close to the race but not too far away either.
Not to say a PB and J sandwich is why Thompson has excelled so much this season, but it’s the idea of repetition and getting into a solid routine. That starts in practice for Thompson, who has been working really hard in her first-ever track season in high school.
It’s why Thompson is able to come out and win four events like she did on Tuesday night against Brown County. Thompson took first place in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, was the final leg in the 4×1-meter dash that was victorious and was the first leg in the winning 4×400-meter team.
“It feels really good,” Thompson said. “I’ve been working really hard this season to get my goals. I feel really good about how I’ve done.”
Thompson’s performances helped the Braves defeat Brown County on Tuesday by a score of 68-56.
“I feel really good,” Thompson said on competing in four events each meet. “I don’t feel worn down. I get warmed up before each event, get stretched. I feel really good.”
As for the Braves’ victory on the night, Thompson said, “We’ve done a really job of pushing ourselves and warming up and stretching and focusing on getting better as a team.”
Head coach Maria Conklin said Thompson is very self-motivated, very competitive and wants to win, so she’s not surprised at the success she has had this season.
Other first place finishes for the girls was Avery Koch, who won the shot put, throwing a 31’2″, as well as the discus. Koch is the only senior on the girls team, so it was nice for her to get a victory on Tuesday as it was Brownstown’s senior night.
“She was really excited,” Conklin said. “This was most consistent she’s been in the discus in all four throws. I was excited for her.”
Jazz Yeadon won the 400 and Abby Bennitt won the 200. Those two have been providing consistency for the Braves all season.
As for the boys, they lost to Brown County as a team 75-57.
But Caleb Cummings had a really solid day, winning the high jump, 100, 200, and he was on the winning 4×100 team.
“He had a really good night,” Conklin said. “He had his best night at high jump and almost cleared 5’10”. Him coming out strong in the 100 and 200 also helped us get some points.
Dustyn Kocsis finished second in the discus, but he was able to win the shotput with a 41’4″. Andrew Wheeles placed second in the 800 and Conklin said he has been working hard to try to drop his time in that event.
Both the girls and boys track team for Brownstown will compete again on Thursday at the Salem Invitational.
“We had some good things tonight,” Conklin said. “I know the distance runners for the boys have been working really hard in practice. Overall, our times are improving and distances are improving in field events, so I like where we are heading this season.”