(Edited to add information on the 4×400-meter relay)
Republic’s Megan Hergesheimer has qualified for a national track and field event for the second time in two weeks. Hergesheimer competed in the USA Track & Field regional qualifier in Lawrence, Kan., over the weekend, qualifying for the Junior Olympics in the 1500- and 3000-meter races, and in the 4×400-meter relay.
Hergesheimer qualified first in the 3000 meter run, finishing 3rd, with a time of 11:09. That was a new personal record.
She qualified again with a 4th-place finish in the 1500 meter run. The top five runners qualify for nationals. Hergesheimer ran in the top two for the first half of the race, before a cramp slowed her briefly after two laps.
Hergesheimer also qualified in the 4×400-meter relay with a 4th place finish and a time of time 4:30. Also on that team are twins Shelby Ortner, Taylor Ortner and Jamie Eckford.
The USA Track & Field Junior Olympics will be held later this month in Baltimore. Hergesheimer, who had previously qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics in Houston, will compete in Baltimore instead of Houston.